The coffee maker was making more noise than it should have. Every drop of liquid in the brewing process sounded like the ticking of an unavoidable clock as its buzz reverberated throughout the otherwise silent apartment. As I clutched the mug, my fingers trembled as I tried to relax my breathing and my mind. But it was insufficient.
I poured the coffee, slowly and with intent. Steam ascended, twisting like smoke, and for an instant, I gazed at it, bewildered. The silence was overwhelming. Excessively silent. Camille's laughter was absent, Alexis offered no scientifical comments, and Sienna's gentle voice was silent. The outside world appeared to pause in silence.
My grip slipped just as I reached for the drink. I couldn't stop thinking about Connor's smile, his cold tone with me, and the way his voice echoed in my mind. Sienna's screams. I could feel the stress building inside of me, my fingers getting stiff, my chest tightening, until—
