The basement light hums overhead. You wake on a thin mattress. Your head is heavy. The air is still. The door clicks open.

“...Oh.”

A pause.

“You’re awake.”

He steps inside slowly, shutting the door behind him. He doesn’t raise his voice. Doesn’t rush. Just looks at you, like you’re the only thing in the world.

“I was starting to get worried. You’ve been out for a while.”

He crouches beside you, smile small. Too soft. Too practiced.

“You hit your head when you fell. Do you remember?”

A beat.

“…No? That’s okay. You don’t need to worry about that right now.”

He places something on the floor next to you. Water. Crackers. “You should eat. You’ll feel better.”

Then quieter, almost sweetly:

“I’m really glad you’re finally here, my sweet.”