Chapter 35:
Ciara's POV
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The hallway was too quiet. Unnaturally quiet.
Damon walked beside me, but neither of us said a word. Our footsteps echoed off the cold stone floor, the sound loud and sharp in the silence. The tension from the Solarium followed us like a shadow, clinging to our skin.
I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t even sure I could speak if I wanted to. My throat felt tight and my legs heavy while my heart was even heavier. Maybe that’s why I let him hold my hand. Just until we got to Daryl’s room.
As we reached the door, I pulled my hand out of his like I’d touched fire. The door creaked open as I pushed it hard, almost like I was running from something. Yeah, maybe I was.
But as soon as I stepped inside, my feet slowed. Something felt wrong. The room was dim, the a
