[Ian]
As I started waking up, the twin weights on either of my arms moved a little. Fern’s legs wrapped around one of mine. She gripped my shirt and snuggled harder. Jaden moved similarly. We’d somehow ended up in this arrangement after Jaden and I told Fern about the hunter who came. Both of them wanted comfort. I didn’t mind.
The soft morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. As I lay there, tangled up with Fern and Jaden, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of protection. Their vulnerability in sleep mirrored my own fears and worries about the hunter.
Silently, I extricated myself from their grasp, careful not to wake them. Stepping gently over scattered toys and books, I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. I was used to sleeping
