[in a modestly-sized room in a pretty, modestly-sized house in Sector 4, two Carapacians are sleeping, each in a twin bed with an endtable and window between them. The window is open to let in the fresh night air, a faint artificial breeze stirring the leaves on the little basil plant sitting in a pot on the table.]
[The two companions twitch and murmur in their sleep, at the mercy of private nightmares they're still helpless to escape, despite all the good that has recently come into their lives. Waking brings them reprieve, but not this night; for what now creeps up to wake them is a new nightmare...]