In the hushed embrace of the night, the tranquility was shattered by the soft, haunting sound of whimpers that roused Dahlia from the depths of sleep. As she turned, her gaze fell upon William, his body now facing her, contorted in the throes of a tormenting dream. His features twisted in pain, his very being consumed by the darkness that engulfed him.
Dahlia felt her heart clench with empathy as she watched him, her own silent anguish echoing the turmoil that had ensnared him. With a sense of quiet determination, she extended her hand, bridging the unspoken distance between them, seeking to offer him solace in the only way she could. Her fingers brushed against his face, tracing tender caresses in an effort to ease the invisible torment that held him captive.