She stood in a field over which eternal twilight hung.

No sun, no moon, no stars, just dark low clouds everywhere that seemed about to fall to the ground.

Stuffiness, calmness, heavy smell of wormwood. The grasses all around were yellow, withered, dry—for sure the land was barren.

Somewhere the hoarse cawing of crows and the slow ticking of a giant clock could be heard.

Jess looked around, feeling her heart beating fast.

This dream was too realistic. Too intimidating. Evil.

And was it a dream? Or is she in another world?

- Why did you come? suddenly asked a familiar whisper behind his shoulders.

Jess looked around in panic,...