Chapter 158

In a foreign place, sleep evaded Lauren entirely. She was used to burning the midnight oil, and suddenly being forced to hit the sack early felt unnatural. The hard bed beneath her did not help matters. Lauren turned her head, hoping to engage Wyneth in conversation, only to discover that Wyneth's eyes were already closed, her breathing steady. Lauren hesitated, then cautiously called out.

"Wyneth?"

There was no response. Wyneth was evidently fast asleep. Lauren was flabbergasted. 'Asleep? So quickly?' Not wanting to disturb her, Lauren lay back down. Soon, her mind drifted into a hazy slumber.

The next day, a rooster's crow roused Lauren from sleep. Upon seeing that it was just after 5:00 a.m., she groaned in exasperation. "So noisy," she muttered, covering her head with the blanket in hopes of catching a few more winks. However, the persistent crowing drove her to sit up in resignation. To her surprise, Wyneth was already up and dressed, her bedding neatly folded. It was clear tha