EUDAIMONIA

And so I woke up again. At the moment when my eyes opened to the wall I ended up facing during my sleep. Confused, with a headache, like usual. So tired that I didn't dare to move just yet right after waking up.

First, I had to listen to my welcome once more.

"Back here again, aren't you?" she said.

Turning around, it was evident that I was, indeed, back. Back to a familiar place, a familiar room. One filled with a lack of organization. The desk was still full of books and papers on top, and the coffee table with many pieces of clothing.

And she still looked at me, despite the time it took me to be fully operational.

"I am." A dry response on my part.

With a sigh, I'd be lying no longer.

"What does it feel like?" she asked.

"As if you've dreamt a whole life and it suddenly vanished in front of you," I answered.

"Even if in your case they're real?"

"They still vanish to me when I'm not there."

I sighed. There was a need for light amidst the darkness of the room with blinders and curtains, so I opened them.

It was relieving to see my construct there. The same empty apartment building, the same plaza. And I wouldn't look beyond that, for I didn't want to remember fully the place I inhabited; the important thing was the fact that I was back.

"How many more until you're satisfied?" she questioned.

"As many as needed, Limerence." I gave an answer.

"You sound annoyed."

"And you're oddly curious today."

"Isn't that why you made me?"

"That's... a fair point."

The orange light was able to bleed into the room once more. My quiet place. It almost made me forget the distant cries.

"Are you alright?" Limerence asked.

"I am," was my reply.