A soft, feathery stroke dragged across her cheek.
At first, it felt like a dream, light, strangely soothing. Then another brush swept over her lips, a touch one that felt too real.
Her body jolted. Her eyes flew open.
Bright light pierced into her vision, making her squint her eyes.
Her gaze adjusted to see the silhouettes hovering around her.
Three women, dressed in black, each holding makeup brushes and palettes. Their faces were blank, professional, unfazed by her sudden consciousness.
Ariel looked at them in confusion. “ Who are you?”
They gave no response.
Her brain scrambled to make sense of what was going on when the memory crashed in.
A hand hit her neck from behind.
The sharp sudden pain.
Then darkness.
Her pulse quickened as she remembered.
“ Stop!” She surged upw
