Another week passed in silence and I started counting days till I could head back home.
At first, it was casual-an idle glance at the cooldown timer, a vague sense of anticipation. Then it became a habit that made me anxious.
I counted how many days remained until the gate would open again and I could finally leave this place behind.
The world had shifted into a festive season while I wasn't looking.
Lights were strung across buildings and trees, glowing softly against the dark. Music drifted through the streets, cheerful and loud. Shops displayed decorations meant to inspire warmth and nostalgia. And somewhere along the way, snow began to fall.
It was time for the world to forget its worries and welcome a new chapter in its life. Since I was stuck here, I decided to take advantage of it and check it out as well.
