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It comes in the middle of the night—a white, alien light that fills my room.

I open my eyes at the same moment, roused by one of my nightly twists and turns. I think I’m being abducted for the first few seconds, but when I type in my password and let the light stun me awake, I know it’s worse.

Quick, panicked breaths break the eerie silence, peel me out of dreamland.

I read the text my father sent back.

I’m sorry.

I blink a tear down my nose. Exhale to calm my trembling jaw.

I know, I type even though I don’t really know anything at all.