I was asleep, deep in the comfort of my bed, when I started to hear a voice calling my name. "Eileen," it said softly.
I stirred slightly but didn't wake up fully. The voice came again, a bit more insistent, "Eileen." My mind struggled to grasp the edges of consciousness, still clinging to the remnants of my dream. The voice called once more, this time with a sense of urgency. "Eileen."
I blinked my eyes open, groggy and disoriented. The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of the moon filtering through the curtains. I squinted at the figure standing by my bed, trying to make sense of the silhouette. "Lise?" I mumbled, still half-asleep and slightly startled. "What are you doing here?"
Lise took a deep breath, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and vulnerability. "I need to talk to you," she said, her voice steady but with an undertone of emotion. I could see her struggling to find the right words.
