The Weight of Absence

AUDREY'S POV

I was having a very nice dream — one of those rare peaceful ones where nothing hurts, and for a moment I could almost believe life was the way it used to be when my bedroom door suddenly swung open without warning. The loud creak and slam startled me so much that I flinched under the covers.

Before I could even protest, Hazel appeared in the doorway, balancing a tray in both hands. Th