Ch. 47

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN:

~Avery:

I opened my eyes, my body aching and my spirit broken. Depression gripped me tightly, suffocating any remnants of hope. Nightmares swirled in my mind, replaying the deaths I had caused, tormenting me relentlessly. I struggled to stay awake, but sleep seduced me once more. I’d had depressive episodes before, but this was something else. I was sucked back in to repeat the same cycle over and over.

Something pulled me out early this time.

As my eyes adjusted to the dim light surrounding me, I noticed a vaguely familiar figure poking me with a long stick. Recognition dawned upon me—it was Tyler, my former foster brother. He was as thin and dead-eyed as he had been as a kid. I tried to find my voice, to apologize, to say anything, but before the words could escape my lips, Tyler's older brother stormed into the room.

His face bore a smug satisfaction, reveling in the knowledge he had acquired. "Well, I have to admit I’m surprised he was here bothering with you,