Chapter 101. Part 2: Episode 3

“Grr… grr…”

The alarm blared loudly beside Zaylien’s ear. His hand shot out blindly and hit the lampstand, knocking the alarm clock onto its side. The irritating sound finally stopped.

“What an annoying thing,” Zaylien muttered, his voice still heavy with sleep. He rubbed his eyes and sat up, his messy black hair falling over his face.

For a moment he sat still, letting his vision adjust. The curtains of his room were drawn, but soft sunlight slipped through the gaps, casting lines across his floor. His room smelled faintly of lavender from the scented candle his Papa always insisted on lighting for him before bedtime.

With a sigh, Zaylien got up, dragging his feet toward the bathroom. He switched on the golden lights, squinting at his own reflection in the mirror.

“Terrible,” he whispered to his sleepy face. Then he turned on the tap, splashed cold water on himself, and brushed his teeth. Soon after, the warm shower washed away the last traces of sleep