THE NEXT MORNING
ISABELLA
Morning arrived normally, which was unsettling. No blue screen hovering over my face. No system voice narrating my suffering. No items falling from the ceiling, just sunlight, my alarm actually going off, and the faint sound of the city waking up like it hadn't personally sworn to ruin my life. I lay there for a moment, waiting, and nothing happened.
"Suspicious." I murmured.
The plush bunny was still on my nightstand, staring at me with its stitched, judgmental little eyes.
"Don't start." I told it.
It did not squeak, we were making progress. I got dressed, made coffee, and walked to the cafe without muttering curses or being emotionally threatened by floating UI. Michael was already there when I arrived, tying his apron.
"You look functional." He said.
"I am deeply uncomfortable with that observation." I replied, grabbing a towel.
Wanessa showed up ten minutes later, calm, composed, and carrying the air of someone who knew things.
