Alone Together

Noelle's POV

The red digital numbers on my bedside table read eleven-fifteen. My stomach twists into a dull cramp, loud enough to echo in the quiet bedroom. Usually, someone taps softly on my door by eight in the morning, leaving a silver tray with fresh fruit, poached eggs, and warm tea on the console table outside my room. Today, the morning drifted past without a sound.

My throat feels parche