Echoes of Deception  

Avery's eyes fluttered open, and her body tensed before her mind could fully recall where she was. The echoes of Lucas's frightening statements from the night before lingered in her mind, intertwined with her continued skepticism of Professor Russo. Shadows lingered in the corners of the room, extending long and thin as the first traces of dawn appeared in the sky. She crept out of bed, silently vowing never to be caught unprepared again.

Lucas' statement echoed in her mind: "We can't win this if we're being played." She shook her head, avoiding the fear that the words nevertheless managed to instill in her.

Blackthorn University's corridors were deserted as she made her way to the library. But something was different this morning—the air was thick with a strange sensation of confusion, as if she were drifting through an uncontrollable dream. The corridor appeared to extend and shrink before her, with strange whispers echoing from walls that should have been silent.