Mrs. Emerin stepped into the house that afternoon, the soft hum of the entry scanner fading behind her. The day had weighed heavy on her shoulders ; a day spent moving through the tense halls of the psychological unit, her mind wrapped around dozens of fragile souls all at once.
She set her handbag on the hallway console and paused, massaging her neck. The house felt cool and welcoming, the gentle aroma of mint from the air diffusers soothing her senses. She slipped off her shoes and padded toward her room, her steps slow and deliberate.
The bed was freshly made, the light filtering in through the half-drawn curtains in golden slants. She dropped onto it, letting out a deep breath. Her fingers grazed the soft blanket as she closed her eyes for a moment, intending to steal a short nap before dinner.
But the heavy cloud of work refused to leave her mind. Sighing, she forced herself up and shuffled to the washroom. She turned on the hot water, steam curling around her face as she stepped under the spray. The tension slowly unraveled from her muscles, each droplet carrying away a piece of her exhaustion.
When she stepped out, she wrapped herself in a silky robe, water droplets tracing her shoulders. She moved to the kitchen, where the fridge lights glowed softly.
Her eyes immediately landed on the Straw-coco — the shimmering, genetically modified fruit designed from coconut and strawberry, a true marvel of future genetic fusion. She picked it up carefully, admiring the pearly pink streaks under the kitchen glow before sinking her teeth into it. A burst of sweet, tropical flavor filled her mouth, awakening her senses more than any energy drink ever could.
She stood there for a moment, savoring each juicy bite, until a thought bubbled up in her mind.
Where was Aurelia?
And Dragan?
Her motherly instinct tugged at her again. She needed to see Aurelia before she rested. With her fruit still in hand, she climbed the stairs slowly. The hallway sensors flickered on, lighting up her path with gentle, warm hues.
She paused at Aurelia's door and placed her ear against it. Inside, all was quiet.
In the room, Dragan and Aurelia lay close together, Aurelia's head resting lightly on Dragan's chest. Lumi, the palm-sized AI assistant under Aurelia's pillow, detected the faint presence outside.
Lumi vibrated once, then twice, just enough to stir Aurelia without disturbing Dragan. Her eyes snapped open. A small vibration against her temple: Someone is at the door.
Her heart quickened, but she acted fast. Carefully, she slid out of Dragan's arm, moving like a shadow. She pulled her robe tighter around her and padded across the room to her desk. She grabbed her tablet and activated the research screens, filling them with bright graphs and medical notes.
Outside, Mrs. Emerin twisted the handle and peeked in.
Aurelia looked up, startled but composed.
"Mom! You're home," she said, her voice soft and light. "I thought you'd be napping."
"I wanted to check on you first," Mrs. Emerin replied, her eyes sweeping the room. She saw the bright tablet screens, the neat bed that looked untouched. Aurelia's calm posture reassured her.
"You look busy," she said with a gentle smile.
"Just wrapping up some case studies. I'll nap soon too," Aurelia replied quickly, brushing her hair back.
Mrs. Emerin nodded. "Good. Just don't forget to rest." She reached out and touched her daughter's cheek gently, her fingers warm and affectionate.
"I won't," Aurelia promised, smiling.
Mrs. Emerin stepped back into the hallway. She paused again, glancing toward the door across the hall: Dragan's room. Something felt odd.
She moved toward it, her curiosity stronger than her exhaustion. The door's glossy black panel blinked to life as she approached, scanning her face. A soft, automated voice echoed in the air.
"Face match sequence initiated… scanning… genetic verification complete. Access granted."
With a gentle hiss, the high-tech door slid open. The room inside was pristine and untouched. The bed was made perfectly, the smart closet closed, the air lightly perfumed with a hint of cedar and mint.
She stepped inside cautiously, her eyes moving across the smooth surfaces and soft lighting. There was no sign of Dragan.
She stood for a long moment, her brows furrowed. Where could he be? He was supposed to be resting.
Her mind spun. Was he in the garden? Exploring the house? Or…
She turned quickly and left the room, the door sliding shut behind her and automatically locking with a soft beep.
She entered her own room and sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers trembling slightly. She tapped her smart watch, its circular screen illuminating under her touch.
She pressed a call icon and waited as the signal connected.
"Emerin?" her husband's voice answered, crackling slightly.
"Yes, it's me," she said, her voice low and measured. "Is Dragan with you at the Unit? Did he perhaps leave the house earlier?"
A pause.
"No, he's not here," her husband replied. "Last I checked, he was resting at home. Why? What's wrong?"
Mrs. Emerin's heart beat faster. She took a steadying breath.
"Nothing urgent. I just… didn't find him in his room," she said carefully. "Maybe he stepped out for some air. I'll look around."
"Alright. Keep me updated," her husband replied, his voice concerned but trusting.
"I will," she said softly.
She ended the call and sat for a moment, her thoughts twisting around her.
Meanwhile, across the hall, Aurelia slowly settled back into the bed beside Dragan. He shifted slightly, his hand brushing against her arm in his sleep. She watched his peaceful face, her heart calming despite the quiet chaos brewing just beyond the door.
She laid her head on his chest again and closed her eyes, choosing for now to stay hidden in that fragile warmth, unaware that questions were already beginning to grow in her mother's mind.