The Love From Vengeance

388: FRACTURED REALITY

ARIEL’S POV

As I moved further, my footsteps echoed in the silence, my eyes scanning every corner in search of the golden necklace that held so much significance. The cabin seemed unchanged since the last time we were here, yet an undeniable sense of foreboding lingered in the air.

Finally, I reached the bedroom where Luke had surprised me with the necklace, the memory still vivid in

my

mind. My heart skipped a beat as I approached the dresser, where he had laid out the delicate piece

of jewelry.

There it was, nestled among the trinkets and mementos. And as I reached out to take it, I heard some footsteps, causing me to cease my movements.

With a silent gasp, I turned around and could hear the footsteps getting close.

What the hell is that? I could only ask myself in my head. Because, at the moment, I was too terrified to

utter a word.

My fingers closed around the golden necklace, and the metal cooled against my skin as I lifted it from its resting place. The soft light filtering through the curtains danced across its surface, casting shimmering

reflections on the walls.

But before I could fully grasp the weight of relief, the sound of footsteps echoed through the cabin once more, sending a shiver down my spine. My heart raced in my chest as I turned towards the door my senses on high alert.

With cautious steps, I made my way out of the bedroom, the floorboards creaking beneath my feet with each movement. Every shadow seemed to morph and shift in the dim light, playing tricks on my mind as i scanned the room for any sign of intruders.

But there was nothing. There was no looming figure in the darkness, no source for the mysterious footsteps that had sent me into a panic just moments before. I let out a shaky breath, the tension slowly seeping from my body as I realized I was alone.

of unease still lingered in the air, a feeling that something was not quite right. Was it just my imagination, fueled by exhaustion and fear? Or was there

continued to make my way through the cabin. With each step,

room, searching for any sign of movement or disturbance. But everything remained still and silent, the only sound being

of leaves

deeply as I stepped out into the cool night air, feeling the comforting weight of the necklace against my chest. Whatever had happened back there, I told myself it was nothing more than a

308 FRACTURED REALITY,

moment of fear in the darkness.

cabin one last time, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching me. With a quickened pace, I hurried back

I couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to the encounter than I had

plagued

like a haunting melody. The unease that had gripped me lingered, refusing to dissipate even in the harsh light of reality. But I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the one thing, the one

my way to Luke’s room. The familiar sights and sounds of the hospital corridor provided some

I stepped inside, greeted once again by the sight of Luke lying motionless on the bed, his chest rising and falling in

DE DOD

the floor beside the bed, I cradled the golden necklace in my hands, the cool metal a stark contrast to the warmth of my skin. The memories of happier

of what we

Luke’s love for me. Tears welled up in my eyes as I gazed at him, willing him to wake up and

me once more. The fear that Luke might never wake up and that our future together might be lost forever threatened

a plea to bring Luke back to me. I couldn’t bear the thought of facing this alone, of losing him without

the feeling that something darker was at play, that the events of the night were more than just a figment of my imagination: The footsteps in the cabin and the hooded figure

hope. As I leaned back against the

was how

with a sense of unease in the air like a heavy fog. The soft hum of machines and

dark.

still form, a wave of sadness washed

398–FRACTURED REALITY