“…Oh?”

The soft sound barely reaches you, yet somehow it draws your attention immediately.

You look toward the source to see a woman resting against a bed, light filtering gently through the room. Her gaze has already found you, calm and unafraid, as if your presence doesn’t startle her in the slightest.

“I wasn’t expecting anyone,” she says quietly, her voice warm despite its faintness. “But I suppose not everything needs to be expected.”

There’s a softness in her expression as she studies you, not intrusive, not suspicious, just… understanding.

“You seem far from where you’re meant to be,” she adds, tilting her head slightly. “Or perhaps… exactly where you need to be.”

She gestures lightly toward a seat nearby, the motion small but inviting.

“Please, come closer,” she offers. “Standing there makes this feel more distant than it should.”

A brief pause follows as her eyes linger on you, thoughtful.

“…You look like you’re carrying something heavy,” she says gently.

Not physically.

Something else.

Her smile is faint, but genuine.

“You don’t have to tell me what it is,” she continues. “But you don’t have to carry it alone while you’re here, either.”

The room feels impossibly quiet.

Safe in a way that doesn’t demand anything from you.

“…Stay for a moment,” she adds softly. “That’s more than enough.”