The first thing Claudine felt was a dull throb in her head, like a hammer had set up shop right behind her eyes. Then came the cold, hard floor digging into her back, sharp and unyielding. Her body felt heavy, like it was made of lead. Her eyes opened slowly, blinking against a single, bare lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. The light was harsh, blinding, making her squint. She tried to move, but her limbs felt sluggish, unresponsive. Her stomach churned, a sick, dizzy feeling.The last thing she remembered was the rain, the crash, Artemis screaming, and that sweet, suffocating smell. Chloroform. Ugh. Typical.She pushed herself up, groaning, her head swimming like she’d been on a dodgy boat ride. The room was bare, just concrete walls, no windows, just that one harsh light. It smelled stale, like old dust and fear, and a faint whiff of something metallic.She was alone, but she knew that wouldn’t last. She tried to blink the blur and the sting of tears from her eyes, trying to focu
Last Updated : 2025-08-09 Read more