Chapter 1: Waking Up

Asttile’s eyes fluttered open.

White. Everywhere.

The hospital ceiling stretched above her like an endless blank sky, too bright, too still. The steady beeping of a monitor filled the silence beside her, each sound pulling her a little further into awareness.

Her head throbbed sharply.

For a moment, she didn’t understand where she was. It felt like she was floating somewhere between sleep and something heavier.

“Where… am I?” she muttered, trying to sit up.

Her body didn’t listen properly. Everything felt slow, heavy—like her limbs didn’t fully belong to her yet.

A soft knock broke the silence.

A young nurse peeked in, holding a clipboard. Her voice was gentle.

“Miss… Asttile? How are you feeling?”

Asttile frowned slightly, pressing a hand to her forehead. “I… have a headache.”

Her words came out sharper than she intended, frustration slipping through without permission.

The nurse nodded calmly, as if she was used to this kind of confusion. “That’s okay. Take your time. You had an accident. You’re safe here.”

Safe.

The word didn’t feel real.

Before Asttile could respond, the door opened fully.

A man stepped in—tall, composed, wearing a crisp white coat. His presence was calm but firm, like someone who was used to being listened to. Behind him followed her mother.

Asttile’s chest tightened slightly at the sight of her.

Her mother’s eyes were red, glossy with worry she was trying to hide.

The doctor stepped closer, his tone soft but professional.

“Hello, Asttile. I’m Dr. Soren. We’ll need to ask a few questions, but it’s okay if things feel unclear right now. You were in an accident and hit your head, which caused significant blood loss.”

Asttile tried to focus, but the words felt distant, like they were being spoken through water.

Her mother stepped forward, voice shaking.

“Honey… you’re going to be okay. Just… be patient with yourself.”

Asttile looked at her for a moment, then gave a small nod.

But inside, something felt off.

Empty.

Like pieces of her thoughts had been misplaced and she couldn’t quite find them.

And when the room fell quiet again, that emptiness only grew louder.

Nights would come later—she would learn that quickly.

And nights were the worst.

Silence didn’t comfort her. It made her think too much.

Too deeply.

Too painfully.

---

Days passed.

Recovery was slow and careful. Every movement felt like something she had to relearn. Even walking across a room made her aware of her own body in a way she didn’t like.

But today was different.

Today was her first day at work.

The office building buzzed with life. Conversations layered over each other, coffee aroma drifting through the air, footsteps echoing across polished floors.

Asttile stood near the entrance for a moment, gripping her bag tighter than necessary.

Her mother’s words echoed in her mind.

You’re stronger than you think.

She exhaled slowly and stepped inside.

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime.

She walked in.

And immediately bumped into someone.

Tall. Too close. Too sudden.

“Are you blind?” the man asked instantly, his voice sharp—but not entirely cold. There was something else underneath it. Curiosity, maybe. Or amusement he wasn’t trying to hide well.

Asttile blinked up at him.

“And you are walking like you’re in a garden,” she shot back without thinking, her smirk appearing before she could stop it.

A pause.

He looked at her properly now. Really looked.

His expression shifted slightly, like something about her had caught his attention.

“What?” he said, eyebrows lifting.

Asttile tilted her head. “What?”

“You’re admiring the view,” she added casually, shrugging like she didn’t care.

That earned her a faint smirk from him.

“Nah,” he said slowly. “You just look familiar.”

Asttile narrowed her eyes slightly. “Do I resemble a celebrity?”

“No,” he replied, voice calm, almost teasing. “Just… someone ordinary. That’s why I can’t remember.”

The elevator dinged.

The doors slid open.

Asttile stepped out first, muttering under her breath.

“Stupid…”

But even as she walked away, something lingered.

That gaze.

That voice.

And the strange feeling that this wasn’t going to be the last time she saw him.

---

Later that day, at her desk, she was still lost in thought when a bright voice cut through her silence.

“Hi! You must be the new hire!”

A girl stood in front of her—energetic, warm, smiling like she had known her forever.

“I’m Roseanne… but everyone calls me Rose.”

Asttile blinked at her for a second, then shook her hand.

“Asttile.”

Rose’s energy was strangely comforting. Too bright for the heavy quiet Asttile had been carrying all day.

Rose leaned in slightly, lowering her voice like she was sharing a secret.

“I’ll show you around. First days here can be… intense.”

Asttile raised an eyebrow. “Intense?”

Rose smiled wider.

“Oh yeah. Especially because of him.”

Asttile paused. “Him?”

Rose nodded knowingly.

“Our team leader.”

Asttile didn’t respond immediately, but something in her chest tightened slightly at the words.

Rose continued, cheerful as ever.

“Don’t worry though. I’ll help you survive.”

Asttile finally let out a small breath—almost a smile.

Somehow…

She had a feeling this job was going to change more than just her routine.

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