Mantra did not sleep the entire night.

No matter how many times he closed his eyes, rest refused to come. His body lay still, but his mind kept moving in circles he could not escape. There was a strange, unfamiliar ache in his chest, deep and constant, the kind that did not fade with distraction. It was not sharp enough to scream, not dull enough to ignore. It simply existed, heavy and persistent, pressing against his ribs as if his heart itself was struggling to breathe.