The nightmare

Eve woke up to frantic banging on her door, the noise reverberating through her aching head. She groaned, lifting her hand to her temple, only to feel a sharp, piercing headache that made her wince.

As she sat up, the room seemed to spin around her, and she had to steady herself by gripping the edge of her bed.

The soft morning light streamed through the slightly parted curtains, casting a pale glow over her room. The usual comforting clutter of books and notes now seemed overwhelming in her disoriented state.

She glanced at her phone on the nightstand, realizing it was already late. The screen showed multiple missed calls and messages from Emily.

With great effort, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet barely touching the cool floor before her knees wobbled slightly.