Ziana jolted awake with a gasp, escaping the clutches of the dead forest dream that kept daunting her dreams. The eerie remnants of her previous encounter lingered, leaving her drenched in sweat, each breath clawing for freedom. This time, the nightmare escalated, an invisible force within her resisting every step, compelling her to confront her demons. The haunting image of being swallowed by the earth, plummeting into a graveyard while someone sealed her fate with massive stones replayed in her mind.
Taking a deep breath, Ziana surveyed her surroundings, finding solace in the familiar contours of her room. Her eyes then settled on the figure beside her, and a blink turned into a gaze as she grappled with the reality that unfolded. Tears welled up, escaping her eyes at the sight of the person who brought warmth and comfort.
"M-Mom," she uttered with a cracked voice, Norah, having just roused from a brief respite due to jet lag, rushed to embrace her daughter.
