Riley's heart hammered in her chest as she made her way through the sanctuary's entrance hall. The dim lighting cast long shadows along the walls, and the silence inside was almost suffocating. She could feel the weight of her thoughts pressing against her, the fear and anxiety gnawing at her insides. She had no idea where to go or what to do.
She was alone.
At least for now.
She tried to steady her breath as she walked further inside, looking for any sign of life. The high ceilings and marble floors created an eerie, almost haunting feeling. She wasn't used to such an atmosphere. The lavish surroundings were too much for her to take in right now. All she could think of was Zayden.
"Where are you?" she whispered to herself.
There was no answer, only the sound of her footsteps echoing in the hall. She walked down the hallway, glancing at the portraits and ornate decorations, but nothing held her attention for long. Her mind kept drifting back to the streets, to the sounds of the chase, to the fear in Zayden's eyes as he sent her away.
Finally, she reached a door at the end of the hallway. It was slightly ajar, and a soft light filtered through the crack. She pushed it open carefully, stepping inside.
A small, cozy room greeted her. It wasn't as lavish as the rest of the sanctuary, but it was quiet and comforting in its own way. The bed was neatly made, and a warm fireplace crackled in the corner. On the table beside the bed sat a pitcher of water and a glass. It was a simple room, but it felt like a refuge.
Riley collapsed onto the bed, her exhaustion catching up with her. Her mind was in chaos, torn between worry for Zayden and the relief that she had made it to safety. She couldn't rest, couldn't relax, not when she didn't know what was happening outside. But the weariness in her body was too strong, and before she could stop herself, sleep overtook her.