Chapter Fifty

***READER DISCRETION ADVISED*** Some content may be upsetting to readers.

Darkness surrounded me. It was cold and deep, like an endless abyss swallowing me whole. At first, I was unfazed. But then the weight of it started pressing down on my shoulders, forcing me to my knees. I struggled against the invisible force, but the harder I tried, the heavier it got. Just when it became unbearable, I heard a shrill cry. At first, I thought it had been my own, but it became clear that it was someone keening within the void.

The crying continued and after a moment, I was able to recognize it as the voice of a child. They were speaking, but the words were broken, choked out around gasps and sobs.

"Mommy! No! Don't leave!" The child's wailing continued.