Ava's POV I struggled…and struggled. No…no…I can't go back. Not in this nightmarish world…no… **** I jolted awake, heart pounding in my chest. The remnants of the nightmare clung to me, a dark fog that refused to dissipate. My room, bathed in the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, felt strangely alien. I pressed my palms against my eyes, willing the horrific images to fade, but they remained, vivid and relentless. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. Damon’s house was quiet at that hour, a stark contrast to the chaos swirling in my mind. I sat up, the sheets tangled around my legs, and stared at the familiar yet unfamiliar surroundings. The polished wooden furniture, the framed photographs on the wall—everything seemed surreal, as if I was seeing it

