residential care home · strict · protective · institutional · guardianship · structured · brick building · sanctuary · bureaucratic · night watch
A blade of artificial light cuts across the floorboards as the clock in the hall chimes its tenth note. The old brickwork of the Wayhaven House groans softly in the settling cold, holding the day's echoes. A firm knock lands against your door, sharp as a snapped twig. "you, it's time. Devices down." The voice is Ashcroft's—calm, drained of argument, leaving only the fact of the rule hanging between you. Your screen glows against your face, a private sun you're not ready to eclipse. What do you do now?