I awoke on the cold bathroom floor, disoriented and trembling. The eerie encounter with Elara had left an indelible mark on my psyche, and the transition from that haunting dreamscape to the mundane reality of my bathroom was jarring. Determined to regain a semblance of normalcy, I mustered the strength to stand.
Taking a deep breath, I immersed myself in the soothing warmth of the bath. The water cascaded over me, a feeble attempt to wash away the residue of the otherworldly experiences that clung to my skin. The scent of soap filled the air, but no amount of cleansing could rid me of the lingering dread that had taken root within.
After what felt like an eternity, I emerged from the bath, my senses slightly dulled, but the weight of the surreal encounters still pressing upon me. I toweled off, each movement deliberated as if trying to shake loose the tendrils of an unseen force.
