Chapter 14

The soft morning sunlight crept through the fancy curtains, casting a golden glow on the posh furniture of the Walter Mansion. Clara and I wrapped up together on a comfy lounge chair, were roused from our slumber by a gentle tap on my shoulder. Clara, her hair tousled, looked worried and determined.

“Hey, wake up,” she whispered urgently. “We’ve got to hustle back to the hostel and get ready for class.”

I blinked, still half in dreamland, trying to understand what was happening. The weight of last night’s fun was settling in, and I realized time was slipping away. I sat up on the plush chair, trying to get a grip on reality.

“What’s the time?” I asked with a hint of panic in my voice, finally realizing the seriousness of the situation.

“It’s 6:30 a.m. already,” Clara replied, scanning the room for our stuff amidst all the fancy decor. “We’ve got less than two hou