C209 THE MOMENT BEFORE THE DOOR CLOSED

Aria did not sleep.

She lay there, eyes open, listening to the gentle noises of the village — the distant bark of a dog, the low murmur of night insects, the faint rustle of wind against wood.

Yet none of it reached her properly.

Her body felt warm in a way she could not explain. Not feverish. Not unwell.

Aware.

She put her palm flat on her chest again, breathing slowly