Claire woke up gasping for breath, cold sweat running down her forehead. She almost fell from the chair, right in front of the table, sleeping in an uncomfortable position.
Her surroundings seemed familiar, a room she knew well from living there for the past month, but the feeling of unease had not completely gone away.
The setting sun's light from the window pierced her eyes. It was evening.
Claire looked around, making sure where she was. Quickly, she pinched her own cheek—a little bit too hard.
"Kh—it hurts…" she whispered, rubbing her reddened cheek.
'It hurts… it must have been real life then.'
Relief washed over her entire being, even though the traces of her nightmare were still strong in her heart.
She wiped away the remaining tears, clearly remembering how the dream had treated her, the shackles on her hand felt as if they have been there all along.
"Why does it keep haunting me… after a month has passed…" she muttered.
