A Normal Night (For Once)

Rina paid for her groceries, swiping her card with the ease of someone who had done this routine a hundred times before. The cashier barely looked at her, just handed over the receipt with a half-hearted "Have a nice day."

She walked home, bags in hand, her mind still lingering on Eleanor. An old friend from an old life. But that was then. Now, she was Captain Rina Hunter not Hailee Rain. Not anyone else.

Once inside her apartment, she set the bags on the counter and started unpacking. Cereal, coffee, protein bars, frozen meals. Essentials for someone who barely had time to cook.

She arranged everything neatly medals on one shelf, groceries in their place before sighing and rubbing her temples. It had been a long day.

By the time she collapsed onto her bed, exhaustion hit her like a truck.

Sleep came fast.

For once, there were no dreams.