Chapter 3: Descent into Darkness*
Aurora stepped off the bus onto the crumbling sidewalk, the evening sun casting long shadows. Her weary eyes scanned the familiar landscape. As she turned toward home, a stranger's shoulder collided with hers, sending her stumbling. Her belongings scattered across the pavement.
The man rushed past, oblivious to her distress. No apology, no offer to help. Yet in his fleeting sidelong glance, Aurora sensed unsettling familiarity – as if their paths were intertwined.
Shrugging off unease, Aurora gathered belongings and continued home. The door creaked open to chaos. Downstairs furniture lay overturned every where was in a very bad shape, she already knew what was happening, she could only sigh to herself; upstairs her parents' argument raged, she was so frustrated because no matter what she did, her parents will always quarrel with each other, she was tired of trying her best to make them happy at this point she gave up .
Thirteen years of her father's irrational anger since his sister's passing had taken its toll. Today's work stress compounded exhaustion. Alex and Emily's supportive words now seemed distant, she was lost in her emotions, her mind was so messed up .
Seeking escape, Aurora wandered into surrounding woods. Shadows enveloped her like a shroud. Trees loomed, branches tangling above. Her feet carried her deeper, lost in sorrow.
Suddenly, a radiant glow pierced darkness. The glow was so bright that Aurora could not help but gaze at the glow in shock, Aurora approached, caution yielding to curiosity. The light danced, hypnotic, welcoming her. Her body leaned inward, as if drawn to its warmth.
A flash whisked by, vanishing into the light. Déjà vu washed over her – as if she'd stood here before. The sensation deepened, tinged with foreboding, but she just washed the felling off her body.
Aurora's hand extended, hesitated and entered the radiance. A jolt coursed through her body. Vision blurred. Sounds muted.
In the light's heart, a new world beckoned. Aurora's fear wrestled with fascination. She recoiled, heart racing, and withdrew her hand.
Aurora stood frozen, curiosity and dread locked in a silent struggle. The woods, once a sanctuary, now seemed ominous. Darkness closed in.