The blaring 5:30 a.m...
The blaring 5:30 a.m. alarm startled Marie from her sleep, but she looked forward to the sounds as it provided her relief from restless sleep. She heard of people feeling refreshed when they awoke, but she knew that would never be her. Marie walked to her kitchen through her small but stylish apartment with all white marble counters, Colombian artwork lining the walls, and white fur rugs covering the scratched old maple wood floors. She sipped her steaming cup of black coffee, ate her banana and slice of grain toast while checking her social media and emails. Her simple but daily routine was the only way she could remain sane. Atlas, a 120 pound Siberian Husky who was a pity present from her father following her mother’s death, was just beginning to stir. Her father has been giving her pity presents since she was 18 because of the guilt he felt in playing a role in his wife’s murder. Marie accepted the gifts anyways and found great companionship in Atlas while living alone the past 4 ...