Madelyn gazed upward at the night sky. Zach followed her gaze but saw nothing, only a pitch-black sky. The weather had not been great the past few days. Suddenly, Zach sensed something was wrong and walked over. However, Madelyn, sitting on the swing, showed no reaction whatsoever.

After a while, Madelyn left the swing and headed back, with Zach following her all along. She sat on the sofa, turned on the television, and stared at the static screen. Her eyes were devoid of expression. It continued until four in the morning. Then, Madelyn turned off the television, kicked off her shoes, and peacefully fell asleep on the sofa with her hands folded on her chest.

Zach, who had finished smoking at the door, discarded the half-smoked cigarette in his hand. He then carried Madelyn horizontally from the sofa, heading upstairs. As he lifted her, Zach felt that she was almost weightless. Madelyn had gained some weight at the Arnold residence but now seemed to have lost it all again.

There were