Raelynn felt as though she was suffocating.
It felt like the dark was closing in, suffocating her, wrapping her in a cold, tight embrace. She couldn't see, couldn't breathe. Something—someone—was there, just beyond her vision. Cold, ghostly fingers brushed against her throat, light at first, then tightening. Her chest heaved as she tried to suck in air, but nothing came. It felt like the pressure was crushing her throat, unbearable, suffocating her with every breath.
She struggled, her fingers clawing at her throat, but there was nothing to grab. The force choking her was invisible, yet merciless. Panic clawed at her mind, her lungs burning. The whispers around her grew louder, disjointed, voices she didn't recognize murmuring in a language she couldn't understand.
Then, suddenly—