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.

lingered in the air, a feeling that something was not quite right. Was it just my imagination, fueled by

the lingering sense of dread as I continued to make my way through the cabin. With each step, I forced myself to focus on the task at hand and push aside the creeping sense of paranoia that threatened to consume

I reached the door leading out of the cabin, I cast one last glance around the room, searching for any sign of movement or disturbance. But everything remained still and

of leaves outside.

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

308 FRACTURED REALITY,

fleeting moment of fear

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

there was more to the encounter than I had initially thought. But for now, all I could do was focus on Luke and hope that he would soon awaken

plagued us all.

the hospital, and the events at the cabin replayed in my mind like a haunting melody. The unease that had gripped me lingered, refusing to dissipate even in the harsh light of reality.

back at the hospital, I made my way to Luke’s room. The familiar sights and sounds of the hospital corridor

by the sight of Luke lying motionless on the bed, his chest rising and falling

DE DOD

cool metal a stark contrast to the warmth of my skin. The memories of happier times flooded my mind,

what we had lost.

fingers lingering over the inscription that spoke of Luke’s love for me. Tears welled up in my eyes as I gazed

as I sat there in the quiet of the hospital room, the weight of uncertainty pressed down upon me once more. The fear that Luke might never wake up and that our future together might be lost forever threatened

to bring Luke back to me. I couldn’t bear the thought of facing

even as I prayed, a part of me couldn’t shake 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 were too real to dismiss

the golden necklace against Luke’s bedside table, a silent promise to never give up hope. As I leaned back against the edge of the

that was how I went to

a heavy fog. The soft hum of machines and the distant sounds

dark.

at Luke’s still form, a wave of sadness washed over me, mingling with

398–FRACTURED REALITY