The house was quiet in that deep, heavy way only late nights could manage. Evelyn lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling with wide, restless eyes. Sleep refused to come. Every time she closed her eyes, her mind dragged her back to the same thoughts. Where was Jane? Had she texted to say she wouldn't make it back tonight? The worry gnawed at her like a small, persistent toothache.
She reached for her phone on the nightstand, fingers fumbling in the dark. The screen stayed black no matter how many times she pressed the power button. Dead. And of course the charger wasn't working either.
"I should have let her know I wouldn't be coming back," she whispered into the empty room. "I can't take this giant thing with me anyway."
Her gaze drifted to Professor Ryan's jacket, still draped over the chair near the window. The faint scent of cedar and crisp linen lingered in the air whenever she moved. It was strangely comforting.
