A Pearl in the Shell

Summary

• The protagonist, Nora, wakes up in a strange room, next to who she believes might be a man named Ash.
• She is in a state of confusion, feeling both familiar and unfamiliar with the scenario - this is because she has the ability to live out many different lives in different universes through the Midnight Library.
• She stumbles upon a child who calls her 'mummy' after she leaves the bed to move downstairs, which takes her by surprise and stirs various emotions within her.
• She struggles to recognize herself as the mother of this child since she does not have memories of this life, feeling both connected and disconnected towards this girl.
• The child insists she is scared of her nightmares about bears and wants Nora to hold her hand. Despite wanting to distance herself, Nora is pulled in by a surge of love for the child.
• Nora is taken to the girl's room, where she comforts the child and they play a game to distract her from her fears.
• Despite her confusion and internal conflict, a part of Nora feels a sense of warmth and joy in this life, particularly when she learns that they go on camping trips together.
• By the end of the chapter, Nora has been unable to leave the room and confronts the reality that she may be tied to this life for longer than she initially thought.