Haliya awoke, her body drenched in perspiration, a lingering sense of dread clinging to her. Her throat felt parched, and tears welled in her eyes, remnants of a forgotten nightmare. Though the details escaped her, she was certain it had been a terrifying ordeal. Taking a deep breath, she collected herself, determined to banish the haunting thoughts of blood, especially the unsettling notion of consuming her own. With a concerted effort, she pushed these unsettling images to the recesses of her mind and prepared to face the day ahead.
Time had blurred for Haliya; the past weeks merged into a hazy tapestry of fleeting moments. Each day brought a new location, a different bed, and unfamiliar surroundings. The countless rooms she had awakened in had become a mosaic of unfamiliarity, the deta
