Edgar wandered through Central Park without truly noticing where he was going.

His steps were slow, dragging, as though he had aged years in the span of a few hours.

The distant noise of the city never reached him.

Everything felt muffled, as though he were submerged underwater.

He sat down on the grass, leaning against the trunk of a tree overlooking the lake.

The water’s reflection was far too calm for someone whose world was collapsing inside him.

He took a deep breath.

It didn’t help.

His h