The clock ticked softly, seconds fading into the silence of Luna’s dimly lit bedroom. Shadows flickered on the walls, twisting into grotesque shapes as the room was swallowed by night. Luna stared at the ceiling, her heart racing in a rhythm that echoed the dread lurking just beneath her consciousness. Every night, sleep was not a sanctuary but a portal—a gateway to a nightmare she couldn’t escape. It began with a whisper, a hint of a haunting melody only she could hear. And then there was Grace. Luna’s smile turned into a grimace as the memory of her best friend surfaced, the image distorted and clouded by smoke and screams. “Why did you let this happen?” Grace’s voice would echo, heavy with blame, pulling Luna deeper into the shadows. It was as if something wicked had taken root within her, twisting her reality. For now, her eyes fluttered, fighting the encroaching darkness that stood ready to claim her once more.