Elsie’s pov

For the past week, my world has been consumed by the relentless echoes of Mia’s screams. Her voice had become a storm that rattled the walls of my mind, a constant reminder of the fragile balance I was trying to maintain. Every scream was a shard of glass lodged in my thoughts, and yet, I couldn’t let it break me. Not yet. Not when so much was at stake.

I stepped out of the secure chamber, the door sealing behind me with a heavy thud. My heart pounded in rhythm with my hurried steps as I made my way down the dimly lit corridor. The air felt heavy,...