As she slowly opened her eyes, the darkness of the room seemed to close in around her. She was drenched in sweat, her nightclothes clinging to her skin like a damp shroud. Her heart was racing, pounding in her chest like a drum.
She threw off the covers and sat up, gasping for air. The cool night breeze from the window provided some relief, but her skin still felt hot and sticky. She rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of the dream that had left her so shaken.
As she swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet dangled in the air, and she felt a chill run down her spine. She looked around the room, trying to orient herself, but everything seemed foggy.
She slowly got out of bed and made her way to the bathroom, flipping on the light switch. The sudden brightness made her squint, but she welcomed the warmth it brought. She turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on her face, feeling the sweat trickle down her cheeks.
As she looked at her reflection in the mirror, she saw a girl with a pale face, dark circles under her eyes, and a tangled mess of hair. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.