Pepper was already awake when the rest of the house was still adjusting to the morning.
No cartoons blasting. No toys dumped all over the rug. Not that she enjoyed any of them anyway, she had always been different.
She just sat on the edge of that long, lumpy couch, legs swinging a little, fingers twisting the strap of her pacifier while she stared at the far wall like it owed her answer. Just… locked in. Listening to every creak the old wood made, every breath the others took.
Alex hadn't slept either. He stood at the window, mug of tea gone stone-cold in his hand, watching her from across the room. The quiet in here was kind of peaceful but at the same time it was uncomfortable. It was the kind that made someone itch for any type of noise.
The kind that sat on your chest and made your skin itch.
