Looming Peril

Alaric slept well and woke up to a bright morning, realizing Valerie and the kids were no longer in the room.

He sat up, stretching like he hadn't in years. Last night was the most restful sleep he'd managed in a long time—no nightmares, just straight through till morning.

Getting out of bed, Alaric wandered into the kitchen. About to open the fridge, he noticed a sticky note on it: "Breakfast's o