The world was blurry when Emma's eyes fluttered open. Her head throbbed, her limbs felt like lead, and her mouth was dry as if she'd been walking through a desert.
She blinked a few times, trying to focus, but the room swam before her. Dim light filtered in from a single bulb hanging above her, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
It took her a moment to realize she was upright. No, not just upright—restrained.
The realization hit her like a truck, and her body jolted in panic. She tried to move her arms, but they wouldn't budge. A sharp tug confirmed what her foggy mind had already guessed what it was.
Her wrists were tied behind her back. Her legs were similarly bound to the chair she was sitting on, the ropes digging into her skin with every attempted movement.
Her breath came in quick, shallow gasps. This isn't real. This can't be real.
