Chapter 1

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 12:17:38 +0000

The persistent hum of the ancient refrigerator vibrated through Elena’s apartment, a low thrum beneath the sharper pangs of her own hunger. Dust motes drifted lazily through the single shaft of sunlight pushing past the grimy window, illuminating the worn fabric of her thrift-store armchair. She stared at her laptop screen—its glow far too bright for the dim room—and scrolled through yet another list of job postings.