PROLOGUE

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 19:19:32 +0000

The drink sat heavy in my head, liquid courage warming my veins as my legs moved instinctively to the pulsing beat reverberating through the bar. The glass-my fourth? fifth?-remained clutched in my hand as I swayed among my friends, their faces blurred at the edges like an impressionist painting. With another raucous cheer, we all tipped our heads back and let the bitterest sip burn down our throats.