54 Dream

I stand there for a few more minutes, completely frozen, lost in a haze of numbness and despair, staring blankly at nothing.

It feels like someone ripped a massive chunk straight out of my chest—raw and bleeding, without any kind of anesthesia.

Finally, I force my legs to move, carrying me slowly toward the kitchen to return the empty tray.

Empty—just like my soul.

Back in my room, the crushing pressure in my throat only worsens. It wraps around my neck like a vice, and no matter how hard I try to shake it off, it only tightens more and more.

I fumble at the collar of my uniform, pulling it open to breathe—but it doesn't help.

I’m suffocating.

Suffocating from the pain.

Tears begin to fall freely, carving burning paths down my cheeks. Still, I can’t seem to catch a proper breath. My lungs feel tight, like they’re refusing to draw in air.

Desperate, I strip out of my clothes and drag myself to the bathroom, stepping into the shower.

I twist the knob all the way to cold and let the icy