Thursday morning dawned early in the city, the sky a soft gradient of pinks and blues.
Fiona Lopez awoke to the gentle hum of the city coming to life outside the window of her small studio apartment. She carefully slipped out of bed, not wanting to disturb her mother, Diana, who was still sleeping on her side of the bed.
The wooden floor was cool beneath her feet as she tiptoed to the bathroom, splashing her face with cold water to shake off the remnants of sleep.
After that, she made her back to room to look for what to wear before proceeding to the kitchen to make breakfast.
She moved with practiced efficiency, dressing in a crisp white blouse and a navy pencil skirt. Her curly chestnut brown hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, her forest green eyes, staring back at her.
