The shrill sound of the alarm clock sliced through the silence of the early morning, jolting me awake. As I fumbled to silence the intrusive noise, the pale glow of dawn was seeping through the curtains, casting a soft illumination in the room. It was one of those mornings when the world still slept, and the air was pregnant with the promise of a new day.
I swung my legs out of bed, the cool floor sending a shiver up my spine as I reached for my phone on the nightstand. With a quick glance at the clock, I realized it was much earlier than my usual waking hour. Curiosity mixed with a tinge of anxiety crept over me as I unlocked my phone, wondering what could prompt someone to message me at this ungodly hour.
