Suddenly...
Brrrrrrrrrr!!!
A loud, embarrassingly timed rumble erupts from my stomach, shattering the quiet atmosphere like a clap of thunder in the stillness.
"AAaa!!! I'm so sorryyyy!!!"
Heat rushes to my cheeks as I quickly turn away, far too embarrassed to meet Eris's eyes. I wish the floor would just swallow me whole.
Eris only lets out a soft chuckle. "I see. You've been asleep for two whole days, so you must be starving."
"Ah... yeah..." I mumble, still avoiding her gaze. "Erm... is there... anything to eat?"
"Of course!" Eris replies with a bright smile. "Come on, let's head downstairs. The owner's cooking is amazing."
She reaches over, takes my hand without the slightest hesitation, and gently leads me out of the room.
****
With Eris beside me, her warm hand wrapped around mine, I feel a little safer. The hallway no longer seems quite as suffocating, and for the first time since waking up, the tight knot in my chest loosens ever so slightly.
I'm not alone anymore.
But as we walk farther down the corridor, drawing closer and closer to that place—the place where I ran into those drunken bastards—the fragile sense of calm shatters.
The memories crash over me like a tidal wave.
I'm drowning.
My heart slams against my ribs so violently that I can feel it pounding in my throat. Every breath catches before it reaches my lungs, leaving me gasping for air that never seems to come. A cold sweat forms across my back despite the warmth of the inn.
Their faces flash before my eyes, twisted with cruel grins, just as vivid as they were that night. Then their voices return, echoing through my head until they drown out everything else.
"Hey, don't be shy!"
"Come on, have a drink with us!"
"Little kitty, why don't you show us how playful you really are?"
My throat tightens as though invisible hands are squeezing the life out of me. A violent wave of nausea follows, twisting my stomach so hard it feels as if it's being wrung from the inside.
I force myself to keep walking.
I have to.
Yet every step feels like dragging heavy chains across the floor.
Then my eyes drift toward the door.
That cursed door.
In my mind, it creaks open once more.
They're there.
Those disgusting, grinning faces.
Hungry eyes.
Outstretched hands.
They're coming for me again.
"GET HER! PATRICK, GET HER!"
"FUCK! OPEN UP!"
"OPEN UP, YOU LITTLE BITCH! WE JUST WANNA HAVE SOME FUN!"
No...
No...
My pulse roars in my ears, each heartbeat hammering painfully against my chest. My hands shake uncontrollably, and soon my entire body is trembling as terror consumes me from the inside out. My claws dig into my palms, yet I barely notice the sting.
No...
I want to scream.
I need to scream.
But the sound refuses to come.
Instead, I cling to Eris's hand like it's the only thing keeping me from falling into an endless abyss. Her gentle warmth is the only thing that feels real. My eyes squeeze shut, desperate to shut out the nightmare replaying inside my mind.
I have to keep moving.
One step.
Then another.
Each one feels impossibly heavy, as though the weight of my fear is pressing down on my entire body.
Just a little farther.
Just a few more steps...
Before I even realize what's happening—
Boop!
I walk straight into Eris.
The gentle bump snaps me back to reality like a bucket of icy water.
I blink several times, still disoriented, my heart racing wildly inside my chest.
"Huh? Felicia?"
Eris turns toward me, her expression filled with concern, her hand still firmly holding mine.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling sick?"
I open my mouth, but no words come out.
My throat feels impossibly tight, and my trembling legs threaten to give out beneath me.
"N-no..." I finally whisper, forcing a weak shake of my head. "It's... nothing..."
I could tell her.
I should tell her.
About those men.
About the fear that's eating away at me.
About how terrified I still am.
But somehow...
I can't.
The words become trapped behind the lump in my throat.
"I... I'm fine," I lie, trying my best to sound convincing.
Eris studies me for a long moment, narrowing her eyes slightly as if she can see straight through the fragile mask I'm trying to maintain.
"Are you sure?" she asks gently. "You don't look well."
"M-maybe I'm just... really hungry." I force out a nervous laugh. "Hehe..."
"Ah... right."
She smiles again, though the concern never quite leaves her eyes.
I have a feeling she knows I'm hiding something.
She simply chooses not to press me.
For some reason, I'm grateful for that.
We continue down the hallway at a slower pace. I focus on the simple rhythm of our footsteps and the reassuring warmth of Eris's hand, using both to steady the storm raging inside my chest.
Eventually, we arrive at the inn's dining hall, where the clatter of dishes and cheerful conversations washes over us.
****
"Alright, this is the dining hall," Eris says with a smile.
I pause to take everything in.
The room is enormous, bustling with warmth and life. Large chandeliers hang from heavy wooden beams overhead, casting a soft golden glow across rows of sturdy tables and benches. The rich aroma of roasted meat, fresh bread, simmering stew, and fragrant spices fills the air, making my stomach growl all over again.
Business seems to be thriving. Every table is alive with laughter and conversation, and the crowd is far more diverse than I expected.
There are humans, of course, but also beastfolk with cat ears and wolf ears, towering bear-like demi-humans covered in thick fur, and even two women with shimmering scales and long reptilian tails. One has dark gray scales, while the other gleams a pale white. Adventurers in worn leather armor chat loudly over overflowing mugs, while merchants count coins beside stacks of travel packs. Together with the constant chatter and the clinking of mugs and plates, the entire inn feels vibrant and alive.
Even so, I can't stop myself from scanning every face in the room.
My heartbeat quickens.
What if those two men are here?
Fortunately...
They're nowhere to be seen.
The tightness in my chest eases ever so slightly, and a quiet sigh of relief escapes my lips.
"Felicia, where would you like to sit?" Eris asks, gently pulling me from my thoughts.
I glance around before spotting a small table tucked away in a dim corner.
"Can we... sit over there?"
After everything that's happened, being surrounded by so many people feels overwhelming. I need somewhere quiet. Somewhere I can breathe without constantly looking over my shoulder.
"Of course." Eris smiles reassuringly. "Let's go."
We weave through the crowded dining hall until we reach the secluded corner. The noise of the room fades into a distant murmur, and the dim lighting feels strangely comforting, like a protective barrier shielding me from the chaos around us.
Together, we take our seats and wait quietly for a waitress to come over.