Suddenly...
Brrrrrrrrrr!!!
A loud, embarrassing rumble erupts from my belly, shattering the quiet atmosphere like a clap of thunder in a still night.
"AAaa!!! I'm so sorryyyy!!!"
My face burns with embarrassnt, heat rising to my cheeks as I quickly turn away, too mortified to et Eris's gaze.
But Eris just chuckles softly. "I see. You've been sleeping for two whole days, so you must be starving," she says with a gentle smile.
"Ah, yes..." I mumble, still avoiding her gaze. "Ermmm... is there... anything to eat?"
"Well, of course!" Eris says cheerfully. "Let's go downstairs, the owner's cooking is amazing!"
And then, Eris grabs my hand, and we leave the room.
——————-
Now, with Eris by my side, her hand holding mine, I'm feeling more secured. The hallway feels less suffocating, and for a brief mont, I'm comforted by her presence. I'm not alone anymore.
But as we walk closer...
Closer to that place—
The place where I encountered those drunk bastards—
Suddenly, the mories crash into like a tidal wave, overwhelming and suffocating.
I'm drowning.
My heart pounds, thundering so hard I can feel it in my throat.
I can't breathe.
The air is gone.
I'm choking, suffocating under the weight of it all.
Their faces flash before , twisted and cruel, as vivid and real as the mont I first saw them.
And their voices... vile, mocking, echo in my head, growing louder, more insistent, until they beco an inescapable, twisted chant.
"Hey, don't be shy!"
"Co on, have a drink with us!"
"Little kitty, how about you show us how playful you really are?"
My throat tightens as if invisible hands are squeezing the life out of .
And then, the nausea hits, violent and sharp. My stomach twists painfully, turning over and over, threatening to tear apart from the inside.
I force myself to move.
I have to move.
But each step feels like I'm dragging heavy chains, the weight unbearable.
Then... I glance at that door.
That cursed door.
In my mind, I see it swinging open, the creak of the hinges sharp in the silence. And there they are—those horrible, grinning faces. Leering at with hungry eyes.
They're stumbling toward , hands reaching, eager to grab again.
"GET HER! PATRICK, GET HER!"
"FUCK! OPEN UP!"
"OPEN UP, YOU LITTLE BITCH! WE JUST WANNA HAVE SO FUN!"
No...
No...
My pulse pounds in my ears, deafening, each beat a hamr against my chest. My hands are shaking, my whole body trembling uncontrollably as the fear consus , devours .
NOOO!
The scream is trapped inside , clawing at my throat, desperate to escape but suffocated by the terror. I grip Eris's hand like a lifeline, holding on as if letting go would send spiraling into the abyss.
I squeeze my eyes shut, blocking out the nightmare that's swallowing whole.
I have to move.
I have to keep going.
One step.
Then another.
Each step feels like I'm dragging the weight of the world with , the fear pressing down harder with every inch I cover.
I just have to make it past this.
Just a few more steps...
...
Before I even realize it...
Boop!
I bump into Eris, my eyes still squeezed shut.
The impact jolts , pulling back to reality like a sudden, icy splash of water.
I blink, disoriented, my heart still hamring in my chest, the rapid beats echoing in my ears.
"Huh? Felicia?" Eris's voice is soft but filled with concern. She turns to face , her hand still wrapped securely around mine. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
I open my mouth to speak, but the words won't co. For a mont, I can't find my voice. My throat feels constricted, and my legs tremble beneath , threatening to give way.
"N-no..." I finally manage to stamr, shaking my head weakly. "It's... nothing..."
Of course... I could tell her. I should tell her. About those guys, about the fear that's eating alive, and about the terror that has shaking like a leaf.
I could tell her how scared I was—how scared I still am.
But for so reason, I can't.
The words get caught, tangled in the knot of fear lodged in my throat.
"I... I'm fine," I lie, forcing the words out, trying to make them sound steady.
Eris narrows her eyes, studying carefully, as if she can see straight through the facade I'm trying so hard to hold up.
"Are you sure? You don't look well," she says gently, her grip on my hand tightening ever so slightly, her concern deepening.
"M-maybe I'm just... too hungry, hehe..." I force a shaky laugh, trying to mask the turmoil inside with a smile that feels far too fragile to be convincing.
"Ah, right," Eris says, her smile returning, though the worry in her eyes hasn't faded.
I think she knows sothing isn't right, but she just doesn't press any further.
Sohow, I'm grateful for that.
We then continue walking, slower now.
Step by step.
I focus on the rhythm of our movents, on the simple act of walking, using it to ground myself, to steady the storm of emotions swirling inside .
Finally, we reach the main dining area of the inn. The noise of clattering dishes and lively conversation rushes to greet us.
———————————————————-
"Alright, this is the dining area," Eris says with a smile.
I take a mont to look around, absorbing the scene. The dining room is massive, bustling with life and energy. Large chandeliers hang from the wooden beams above, their golden light warm and welcoming. The room feels cozy, with long wooden tables lined with benches for large groups, and smaller tables for smaller groups as well. The sll of roasted at, fresh bread, and spiced ale drifts through the air, making my stomach rumble in response.
Business seems to be going well. People are chatting and laughing. I see many different races. There are humans, yes, but also others—figures with cat ears, wolf ears, and towering beings covered in thick fur, looking like a mix between n and bears. I also spot two won with glistening scales, their tails swishing behind them, their skin in unique shades—one a deep grey, the other a pale white. The room is alive with chatter and laughter, the clink of mugs and plates adding to the lively atmosphere.
However, I can't help but scan the room cautiously, my eyes darting over every face. My heart skips a beat as I search, fearing I might see those two n from earlier.
But...
Lucky for ... they're not here.
"Felicia, where do you want to sit?" Eris asks, her voice gentle, breaking through my swirling thoughts.
I glance around, eyes lingering on the crowd before spotting a table tucked away in a dim corner. "Can we... sit there?" I ask softly, pointing toward the secluded spot.
After what happened... being around so many people feels overwhelming. I need a quiet place to breathe, to gather my thoughts.
"Alright, let's go there!" Eris says with a nod, smiling reassuringly.
We then weave through the crowd, the lively chatter and clinking mugs fading as we settle into the darker, quieter part of the room. The dim lighting and shadows in this corner feel like a protective barrier, muffling the overwhelming noise just enough to calm my nerves.
We sit in silence, waiting for a waitress to approach.
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