Chapter 6: A Breath, A Dance, and a Predator's Gaze

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:50:14 +0000

The screams of the guests still echoed in Anya's ears as she stumbled blindly away from the grotesque spectacle in the ballroom. Her perfectly coiffed hair was disheveled, her emerald gown now felt like a lead weight, and her carefully constructed world had imploded. She pushed through a swinging door, finding herself in a quiet, luxurious washroom, thankfully empty. The cool, tiled walls offered a small, temporary sanctuary. She leaned against a gilded mirror, gasping for air, her chest heaving. Tears streamed down her face, blurring the reflection of her own terrified eyes. The image of her parents, fractured and violent, played on a loop in her mind.