Chapter 10

The third day after the birth, I took Vivian home. "Why are we going home? Didn't you say that we'd be going to the center?" she demanded, frowning. I ignored her and went straight into the study, shutting the door behind me. I put in my earphones, and the deafening sound effects of my game soon drowned out everything else. The sound of gunshots, explosions, and the yells of my comrades made me feel unusually at peace. "Rowan! I'm hungry!" After some time, I heard another annoyed but weak shout from the bedroom. I raised my voice a little more and shot a character on the screen. My enemy's head exploded. "Rowan, are you deaf?" Vivian had also raised her voice. I could sense her fury even through the door. I stared at the screen, my mouse clicking rapidly. My lip curled. After about another three hours, there was a dull thump from outside. It sounded as if something had fallen down. I paused the game and pricked up my ears. I could hear the sound of footsteps stumblin