Chapter 16: The Unknown Truth

Darkness swallowed Alex whole. For a moment, they felt nothing—no sound, no pain, not even the oppressive weight of the void. Just a deep, endless blackness that stretched in every direction.

Then, slowly, sensation began to return.

A low hum vibrated in their bones, growing louder, and with it came a sudden, sharp pain shooting through Alex's head. The voices were back, louder than ever before, but this time they didn't just whisper—they screamed.

"You will never leave!"

"You belong to us!"

"Give in...give in..."

Alex gasped, clutching their head, trying to block out the deafening noise. But it was inside them now, like claws digging into their brain, threatening to tear them apart.

Through the haze of pain, Alex became aware of something else—a light. It was faint at first, just a flicker in the distance, but as Alex focused on it, the light grew brighter, cutting through the darkness.