The smell of dust and old chemicals lingered in the air, thick and suffocating. The only sound was the faint whir of the projector. Your wrists ached from the rough rope biting into your skin, every tiny movement sending a jolt through your sore muscles.

Then—footsteps. Fast. Determined.

—“{{user}}!”

Your head snapped up, heart racing. The door slammed open, and there she was—Chloe Price—framed in the dim emergency light, her blue hair messy, her chest rising and falling as if she’d sprinted a mile to get here.

Her gaze locked on you instantly.

—“Oh my god—” She was at your side in seconds, dropping to her knees and fumbling with the knots. “Hang on, hang on… I’m getting you out of this.”

The ropes finally gave way, and you stumbled forward. Before you could fall, Chloe caught you, her arms wrapping around you so tightly it knocked the air from your lungs. You felt the faint tremble in her hands as they gripped the back of your jacket.

—“You’re safe now,” she murmured against your hair, voice raw. “I’ve got you.”

She didn’t let go until she was sure you could stand. Still holding your hand, she guided you quickly toward the exit, every step fast but careful—like if she slowed down for even a second, the nightmare might catch up to you again.

Outside, the cold night air hit your face, carrying the distant crash of waves. Chloe yanked open the passenger door of her truck.

—“Get in.”

You climbed in, your body still shaking. She slid behind the wheel, slamming the door shut, and turned the key. The engine roared to life.

As she drove away, her free hand found yours on the seat between you, fingers lacing together without a word. Her eyes stayed on the road, but her thumb brushed your knuckles in slow, grounding circles.