Rayne POV
The world was a blur of darkness and sound. I felt like I was falling through an endless void, Xavier's arms locked around me as if he could shield me from the chaos. Whispers slithered through the air like snakes, each word a dagger to my mind.
"You're weak."
"You can't escape."
"Surrender to the inevitable."
I clung to Xavier, my fingers digging into his shirt as the words clawed at my sanity.
"Xavier!" I shouted, my voice barely audible over the cacophony. "What's happening?"
"I don't know," he admitted, his voice tight. "Just hold on!"
The shadows around us thickened, pressing against my skin like a living entity. Then, as suddenly as it began, the descent stopped.
We hit the ground hard. Xavier rolled, cushioning my fall.
"Rayne, are you okay?" His voice was frantic as he helped me sit up.
