Nova woke up at 4:45 AM, earlier than he had intended. He remained in bed for a moment, staring at the ceiling, but it was clear he wouldn't fall asleep again. Besides, he was curious about what Marcus had planned for their second day of training.
He brushed his teeth, showered, and ate breakfast before preparing to leave. As he had done the previous morning, he filled a large bowl with food for the kittens and checked their water. They were still asleep, huddled together in their usual spot. Nova crouched beside them, gently kissed each one, and made sure they were comfortable before leaving the apartment.
The city was unusually quiet. There were hardly any cars on the road, and even the early joggers seemed to have disappeared. Nova walked with his hands in his pockets, occasionally turning his phone over between his fingers.
