The procedure

As Valerie reached the pool, the warm sunlight dancing on the water's surface seemed to fade away. Her mind suddenly went blank, forcing her back to reality like a jolt of electricity.

By now, Valerie's face was wet with tears. They streamed down her cheeks, a relentless torrent of sorrow.

Her hands lifted, and she gazed at them as if they belonged to a stranger. The palms, once soft and innocent, now seemed stained with an invisible guilt and blood.

"I…I… Killed Ruby and mom…" The words tumbled out, a raw confession.

Valerie's voice cracked, shattered by the weight of her memories. The sound echoed through the room, a haunting whisper.

Her eyes, red-rimmed and puffy, reflected the turmoil within. The unsettling calmness in the room mirrored her shattered expression.