She sat there for a moment, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Her mind was spinning, and she couldn't tell if what she had experienced was real or just a dream.
Finally, she shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. No, she thought, it felt too real. It couldn't have just been a dream.
She got out of bed, her body feeling strangely heavy and tired. I have to figure out what's going on here, she thought, determination setting in. I need to find a way to get answers.
Sereena went to the window and pulled back the curtains, sunlight streaming into her room. The clock on her dresser showed that it was already morning.
I slept through the whole night, she thought, a pang of anxiety settling in her stomach. What if I'm going to be asleep again for a whole week?
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. "I have to stay calm and think logically," she told herself. There's got to be a way to get back to Lucas and figure out what's going on.
But as she turned away from the window, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her reflection looked pale and tired, her eyes rimmed with dark circles. I look awful, she thought, her heart sinking. I look like I've been through a week of sleepless nights.
Sereena's heart sank as she saw the date on her phone. It was still the same day as yesterday. I've only been asleep for a night, she thought, a wave of disappointment washing over her. But it felt like I had slept for a whole week.
Sereena was feeling frustrated and anxious, her mind racing with unanswered questions. She opened up her phone and checked the novel, hoping for an update that could give her some answers about her situation.
But her hopes were dashed when she saw that there was no new update. Dammit, she thought, her heart sinking. This is just getting more and more confusing.
Sereena sat down heavily on her bed, feeling the weight of her circumstances bearing down on her. Why did I dream about Lucas? she wondered, her mind swirling with questions. Why did it feel so real?
She sat there for a moment, just trying to make sense of everything. "Maybe it was just a really vivid dream", she told herself. Maybe it's just a coincidence that I dreamed about Lucas.
But even as she said the words, she knew deep down that it was more than just a dream. The memories of her time with Lucas were too vivid, too real, to be mere dreams. And the fact that time seemed to pass differently in his world only added to the mystery.
Sereena knew she had to do something. She couldn't just sit around and wait for things to happen. She had to find answers, and the only way to do that was to find a way back to Lucas's world.
Sereena took a deep breath and pushed aside her confusion and anxiety. She knew she had to focus on her work for now, and that would give her time to think.
She got up from the bed and headed to the bathroom to take a quick shower and freshen up.
As she went through her morning routine, her mind couldn't help but drift back to her dream. The memory of Lucas's deep voice and stern expression was still fresh in her mind, and she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than a simple dream.
Maybe Lucas is real, she thought, the idea sending a flutter of excitement through her. Maybe he's a real person in that other world, and maybe I really did meet him. But how do I get back there?
Sereena finished her shower and got dressed for work, her mind still preoccupied with the mystery of her dream. She grabbed her bag and keys, her mind already churning with plans for how to investigate further.
As she locked her apartment and headed for her car, a sense of determination filled her. She was going to get to the bottom of this, no matter what it took. She was going to find a way back to Lucas's world, and she wasn't going to rest until she had answers.
As she drove to work, Sereena tried to put on a brave face, but her mind was still preoccupied. She couldn't focus on her work, her thoughts constantly drifting back to her dream and the mystery of Lucas's world.
But she pushed through the day, forcing herself to concentrate on her work. She knew she had to act normal, or else her co-workers would think she was crazy. And she couldn't risk anyone finding out about her situation.
The day seemed to drag on longer than usual, but finally, it was time to go home. As Sereena got back in her car, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. She was finally free from pretense and could let her mind wander in the solace of her car.
Sereena was driving home when her phone rang, shattering the silence in her car. She checked the caller ID, but it was an unknown number.
Curiosity and caution mixed as she decided to answer. "Hello?"
"Hello little missy, I hope you like my present for you"
Sereena's brow furrowed at the unfamiliar voice on the other end of the line. "Who is this?" she asked, her voice betraying a hint of wariness.
"You don't have to know"
Sereena's grip on the phone tightened as she heard the stranger's cryptic reply. "Then why are you calling me if you're not going to tell me who you are?" she said, frustration mixing with curiosity.
The stranger on the other end chuckled, the sound sending chills down Sereena's spine. "Curious little thing, aren't you?" the stranger said. "But don't worry, you'll find out who I am soon enough."
"What do you mean?" Sereena asked, her voice rising with anxiety. "What present are you talking about? What did you do?"
The call ended.
Sereena was left speechless, the line going dead. Her heart was racing, the mystery and the unknown caller's cryptic words sending a wave of panic through her.
She gripped the steering wheel tightly, her mind racing. Who was that? And what did they mean by 'present'?
She tried to shake off the feeling of unease, her thoughts swirling with a mix of fear and anger. Who would play a prank like that? And how did they get my number?
Sereena's heart skipped a beat as her phone slipped from her hand and fell onto the floor of the car. She cursed under her breath and quickly reached down to grab it, but the fear in her gut only intensified. Please don't be damaged, please be fine, she thought frantically.
The unexpected noise jolted Sereena, and she looked up to see a truck hurtling towards her car. Her heart skipped a beat, and she slammed the brakes, tires screeching in protest.
The world seemed to slow down as the truck bore down on her. Her heart was racing, her mind racing faster. This can't be happening, she thought, panic gripping her throat.
She jerked the wheel to the side, trying to swerve out of the truck's path, but it was too late. The truck slammed into her car with a deafening crunch, sending her car spinning off the road.
The world around her turned into a dizzying blur as her car spun out of control. Her head hit the side window, pain shooting through her scalp. The sound of metal screeching and glass shattering filled her ears.
Sereena could feel the pain and the dizziness clouding her mind. She tried to speak, to call for help, but no words came out. Her head was throbbing, her body weak and sluggish.
The thought crossed her mind, a cold wave of fear washing over her. Is this it? she wondered, a pang of despair gripping her heart. Is this the end for me?