Elysia opened her eyes to see herself laying on the ground with tall trees surrounding her. Cautiously, she raised to her feet, her eyes scanning the vicinity. The air felt heavy, every breath carrying a faint metallic taste. Towering trees loomed around her, their twisted branches forming a canopy that barely let in the dim glow of the moon. The damp ground squelched under her bare feet, sending shivers up her spine. Her heart pounded fiercely, a sense of dread tightening around her chest.
Where was she, and how did she end up here? A chill ran down her spine as a cool breeze swept across her body, still dressed only in a long, loose nightdress, now stained with dirt and marks she couldn't explain.
The forest around her was unnervingly silent, broken only by the sound of her shallow breaths and the faint rustling of leaves. It felt as though the forest itself was holding its breath, watching her every move.