Catching a Match: A Prequel to When the Flame Goes Out

Brina has never felt more alive. The apartment is spotless, the laundry is done, and she's finally channeling her boundless energy into the ultimate gift for her husband: a sprawling, immersive D&D campaign. After months of feeling muted and gray, the world is suddenly vibrant again. She's sharper, faster, and more productive than she's been in years. She is finally the "super-mom" she always knew she could be.

But this isn't a recovery. It's a collision. She thought she could outrun her Bipolar 2 by pouring her restlessness into creative projects and domestic perfection. But the "spark" is turning into a wildfire. What looks like vibrant spontaneity to Brina looks like terrifying recklessness to her husband, Alex.

The faster she runs, the closer the shadows follow. Her reality begins to fray at the edges and Brina must face the cost of her own invincibility. She is determined to stay "up" for her family-but she may be the very thing that burns their world down.