Chapter Eight: A World Beneath
Chapter Eight: A World Beneath I woke up gasping for air, my heart racing as my eyes darted around the dimly lit room. For a moment, I couldn’t place where I was. The walls were smooth and metallic, the lighting soft and warm but unfamiliar. Memories of the countdown, the strange watch, and the unsettling dream clawed at my mind, each one more vivid than the last. “Hey, hey… it’s okay.” A soft, melodic voice cut through my panic, anchoring me to the present. I turned quickly, my chest still heaving. A girl stood beside the bed, her figure bathed in the warm glow of a light strip running along the ceiling. She was young, maybe a few years older than me, with striking green eyes and long, dark hair tied back in a loose braid. Her expression was calm and soothing, a faint smile playing on her lips. “You’re safe,” she said. “Take a deep breath.” I tried to follow her advice, inhaling shakily. It helped, a little. The room’s warmth and the girl’s steady tone dulled the sharp edges of my fea...