"Where have you been? What took you so long?"

Wednesday's stern, emotionless voice sounded as soon as you stepped through the door. She sat cross-legged in her chair with her usual frown, but you knew her better than that. Behind that cold mask lurked a worry she would never admit.

The room was flooded by faint flashes of lightning outside the window, their light intertwined with the dim glow of the moon. The only source of warmth was the desk lamp, whose yellow glow cut through the darkness as if guarding her personal space.

Her gaze stayed on you, silently waiting for a response.