March 21st, 6:08 AM — Longwan Mall, Service Wing
John Wang POV
—
It was the sound of quiet movement that woke me.
Soft feet brushing across concrete. A kettle lid clinking open. Someone yawned into their sleeve. Nothing sharp or frantic.
But somehow, with everyone still alive, the air filtered clean, and a sheep drooling into my chest—
I stared at the ceiling, blinking.
First full night I'd slept in... what? Four? Five days?
I didn't mind.
Just... calm.
I blinked against the dim blue light of the air scrubber still humming in the corner.
It took me a second to notice I wasn't cold.
Or alone.
A comfortable warmth pressed against my right side—something soft and breathing slow. My arm had gone numb. My chest felt sticky.
Then I noticed the weight. The arms looped tightly around my waist. The tickle of hair against my chin.
And the drool.
