The weight of judgment hung heavy in the air, even within my own community. When I returned home late last night, exhaustion clung to me like a second skin. My parents, concerned and awaiting my explanation, deserved the truth. I did my best to convey everything, though many questions had lingered unanswered. I hadn't quite unraveled it all myself. They gently urged me to rest, assuring me we'd talk more in the morning.
I doubted I'd find sleep in my current state, but as soon as I sank into my bed, it claimed me entirely. I slipped into a deep slumber, lost to the world. The morning light crept through the curtains, coaxing me from my dreams, and I didn't stir until the sun had fully risen.
My abrupt awakening was jolted by a sudden surge of adrenaline. Sunlight spilled into my room, b
