Carla blinked against the harsh white light, her vision swimming in and out of focus. Her head throbbed, and a metallic taste lingered in her mouth. She tried to move but quickly realized her hands were bound tightly behind her back, the coarse rope biting into her skin. Panic surged through her as she strained against her restraints, her muffled cries escaping past the rag stuffed in her mouth.
The room was eerily silent, save for the faint hum of fluorescent lights above her. Shadows danced across her blurry vision, making it impossible to discern her surroundings. She forced herself to calm down, focusing on her breathing despite the stifling fabric.
Then, she felt it—a presence nearby. A shadow moved closer, slow and deliberate, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Her
