Side Story 4.98 - Sweet Trouble

Johanis' POV

I woke up late.

Which wasn’t exactly a crime, considering I’d just helped banish ancient shadow monsters and nearly died a few days ago. But judging by the sun pouring across my blanket nest, and the very empty house around me, I’d missed the usual morning chaos. No sizzling roots in the pan, no Lily squawking about missing socks or floating too high to get down again.

No scent of Mama’s honeyberry crumble, either.

Which was… suspicious.

I blinked, rubbed my eyes, and sat up, squinting toward the kitchen. The table was spotless. Papa’s boots were gone. Lily’s scarf was draped over the back of a chair like she’d left in a hurry.

Huh.

I should’ve stretched. Eased into the day. But I had this twitchy feeling cr