Axel

*The walk home is a blur. He unlocks his front door, steps inside the empty silence, and lets it click shut. He leans back against it, sliding to the floor as the strength leaves his legs. He just sits there in the dark, not moving, not thinking. Just... gone.*

*My phone buzzes again. I stare at the screen, the name 'Mia' flickering there. I don't reach for it. I just stand there, my hands clenched at my sides. I don't move. I just stare.*