Chapter 3

Linnea's POV

"Linnea! Wake up!" Violent shaking dragged me out of the darkness.

Gritting my teeth, I forced my eyes open to a blurry slit.

"Stop playing dead, get up." Soren’s voice hovered above me, trying to sound casual but failing to hide his excitement. "Today is a big day."

The TV was broadcasting the trophy ceremony live across the city. Dressed in a striking haute couture red gown, Aveline held the championship cup high overhead, her face a mask of supreme arrogance.

"Did you see that? Avey did it! She’s brought glory to the Vane family!"

"And?" I asked, leaning heavily on the doorframe just to stand, forcing a lifeless smile. "What does that have to do with me?"

"Listen, Linnea." Soren buttoned his blazer, side-eying me. "Tonight, we’re heading to the Obsidian Club downtown to celebrate properly. Look at you, you look like you’re about to drop dead."

He sneered. "Don't ruin the mood. Just stay hidden tonight."

"Have fun, Soren," I replied softly, swallowing the violent storm brewing inside me.

"Smart girl," he scoffed, completely missing the daggers in my words. He grabbed his keys and slammed the door behind him.

The second the lock clicked, I whipped out my phone and dialed a number I had memorized from a bizarre ad in the corner of a newspaper a few days ago: Halcyon Neuroscience Institute: Deep Hibernation Human Experiment. At the time, I thought it was absurd. Now, it was the sharpest blade I had.

"Halcyon Institute, how may I help you?" a clinical voice answered.

"My name is Linnea Keller. I want to join your deep hibernation trial," I spoke rapidly, like a sniper about to pull the trigger. "Right now. Immediately."

"Ms. Keller?" The researcher paused. "If you come now, we can expedite the process. But there is one paramount rule I must confirm."

"Once the experiment begins, you will be placed in a state of absolute deep hibernation for exactly one month. It cannot be interrupted. Your body will be in absolute stasis, and you will have zero contact with the outside world. If you accept these terms—"

"I accept." I hung up without hesitation and walked out the door.

Half an hour later, inside Halcyon Institute’s top-secret lab.

"The waiver is signed. The two-million-dollar compensation will be wired to your account the moment you wake up safely." Dr. Carter pushed a stack of files toward me, looking grim. "I’ll ask one last time. Are you absolutely sure?"

"Pen." I didn't even look at the clauses. I just signed my name.

Before climbing into the bone-white stasis pod, I checked my phone one last time.

Aveline had just posted on social media. In the photo, she was holding up a glass of champagne with a wildly arrogant caption:

"Best night ever! I have so much energy I don't know what to do with it! Having fun 'til dawn! #Champion #CantStopWontStop"

I stared at the words CantStopWontStop, and the corners of my mouth curled up.

You better not stop, Aveline.

"Administering the serum. Deep breaths," a nurse’s voice came through the intercom.

"Wish me sweet dreams." The freezing liquid rushed into my veins, and an endless void swallowed me whole.

The long slumber was far from peaceful.

My consciousness was dragged into the abyss over and over: Soren's twisted, fake-affectionate face hovering over me; coarse ropes digging into my wrists; Aveline brutally slamming tennis balls on the court, every impact ripping through my soul.

"Mommy..."

A pool of blinding crimson spread through my dreams. The innocent child who hadn't even had the chance to form turned into a mournful cry, tearing at my nerves day and night.

I didn't know how long I suffered in the chaos.

The steady rhythm of an ECG monitor pulled me back. I forced my heavy eyelids open. the harsh white lights making my eyes water.

"Incredible. Perfect vitals!" Dr. Carter strode over to the pod, flipping through his tablet with a long exhale. "Welcome back, Ms. Keller. You’ve slept for exactly one month. How do you feel?"

I took a deep, shuddering breath.

The bone-deep weakness and excruciating pain were entirely gone. It was a miracle.

"I feel..." I propped myself up, meeting his eyes. "Like I just woke up from a long, painful nightmare."

After getting checked out, I changed into my clothes and walked out of the recovery room.

"Here is your phone, and the debit card with your two-million-dollar compensation. The funds cleared ten minutes ago," the nurse said, handing over my belongings.

I took them without a second glance and strode out the glass doors of the institute.

The early winter wind of Halcyon City hit my face. I stood on the steps and held down the power button on my phone.

The moment the screen lit up, the device froze completely, overwhelmed by data for ten straight seconds.

Then, notifications exploded like rapid gunfire.

347 missed calls.

892 unread texts.

Soren and Delphine’s names painted the screen red, hitting me like a silent avalanche.

I tapped the first notification at the top. It was a text from Soren, sent exactly a month ago. It practically oozed absolute panic and terror:

"Linnea!! Where the hell are you?! Pick up the phone! Please, just move your body, just for a second!! Avey can't stop moving!! I'm going to die..."