Chapter 51

Author pov

The gunfire rang out three times, cutting through the air. Fear gripped everyone, and they ducked for cover.

"Caroline! Caroline!" Lana whispered urgently, scanning the area for any sign of her friend. When she finally looked up, she realized the place was deserted; she was alone in the building.

"Caroline! Caroline!" she shouted, her voice bouncing off the walls, but all she heard in return was the sound of her voice.

Lana stood in the center, lost in confusion, wrapping her arms around herself in terror. Tears filled her eyes.

"Where's Caroline?" she thought, her voice trembling. A wave of uncertainty washed over her as she quickly searched every corner of the room.

As she searched, the silence thickened around her, wrapping her like a dense fog. Lana's breaths were shallow, and her heart raced in her chest. She shouted again, "Caroline! Please respond!" Yet, the only reply was the fading echo of her voice, swallowed by the emptiness.

Then, Lana noticed a piece of