— MARA |
I made it to my room before the shaking started.
Hands first. Then arms. Then my whole body.
I sat on the bed. Tried to breathe.
Couldn't.
The air was too thick. Too heavy. Like breathing through water.
I closed my eyes.
Mistake.
Because behind my eyelids, I saw them.
The photos.
The bodies.
Skin peeled back like wrapping paper. Bones visible. Eyes open and empty.
That's what happened to the last person who tried to leave.
That's what would happen to me.
I opened my eyes. Gasped for air.
The room was spinning.
No.
Not spinning.
Shrinking.
The walls were moving closer. The ceiling pressing down. The space collapsing around me like a fist.
I knew this feeling.
Hadn't felt it in years.
But I knew it.
Panic.
Pure. Primal. Unstoppable.
My chest tightened. Hear
