Chapter 151

Ava’s POV

I should have been terrified. I should have felt panicked, confused, and overwhelmed. But strangely, I wasn't. First, we found ourselves in a strange, unsettling place. Then, without warning, we were thrust into a void. It was disorienting. For a split second, I was terrified, but then a grim acceptance washed over me.

I realized my life would never be simple or calm. I was fated to be with an asshole, then given a second chance with someone who brought even more chaos. Now, both of us were in the unknown.

So, I wasn't scared. I was tired. Tired of everything, of fighting. I just wanted to sleep.

"Are you okay?"

Grayson's voice broke through my thoughts. He was composed, his face a mask of calm. "Yes," I replied, though I didn't feel it.

I glanced around at the surrounding darkness, thick as fog. "Shouldn't there be a light to follow?" I sighed, exhaustion coloring my voice.

"What light?" Grayson asked, confused.

"A movie trope," I muttered. "When people are in places like this, there's always a light, a beacon. If some force dragged us here, they could at least get the details right. Mysterious force," I called out, "get your facts straight!"

Then, a light appeared—not a gentle beacon, but a violent force that sent me flying backward. I screamed, pain shooting through me.

Grayson's voice cut through the pain. "You're awake."

My vision cleared. I was back where I'd woken up before. What the hell was happening?

"My wolf is gone again," Grayson said, detached. "You'll have to reach out psychically and call for help. We need to move."

No. We'd already had this conversation. I ignored him, turning to the air, frustration rising. "Whatever sick joke this is, it's not funny. Let me out!"

"Who are you talking to?" Grayson snapped, annoyance flashing in his eyes. "Send the message."

I stepped back, shaking my head. "This is all in my head. I need to get out of here. And you're not Grayson."

"You're right," came the cold reply.

Then everything faded. I was back on that street, the houses identical. There she was—the other version of me. Her smile was full of satisfaction.

"Did you miss me?"

Anger flooded me. "What is this? Where am I? Where's Grayson?"

She looked at me, almost bored. "You don't have many admirable qualities, but your sharp mind is one. Figure out what's happening."

I stared, lost. "I have no clue."

She sighed, irritation evident. "You only see and speak to me when you're unconscious. Hurry up."

Panic hit me. "Am I still unconscious from the tranquilizers? If so, everything I thought happeneddidn't. I'm still caught by the hunters! I need to wake up!"

"Why are you smiling?" I demanded, trembling. "You exist in my head. If I die, you disappear. Help me wake up!"

She raised an eyebrow, still smiling. "After everything, you still don't get it? You're so uptight. I've told you everything, and you're still stuck."

"I'm not uptight! I'm in serious trouble, and you're smiling like this is a game!"

"It is," she replied calmly. "Life's a game, and we're all players. Some are better at running," she said, disappearing and reappearing behind me. "And some do whatever it takes to win."

I sighed, trying to control my anger. "I need to wake up. Give me a lesson, and we can go our separate ways."

She was silent, her eyes narrowing. "You're distracted, Ava. You're stuck in your head, refusing to listen. I told you a war was coming. What have you done? Picked the wrong fights with your parents and let the one person who should have stood by you slip away."

"What are you talking about?"

"Everything. But that's not important. I've told you all I can. I'm here because you're unconscious. Focus. You're missing things."

Then I heard a faint voice. "Ava? Can you hear me?"

It was Grayson, from above. The other me smiled. "I guess our time's up. Until next time."

I shouted, "Hey! Tell me everything! What was my wolf going to show me?"

But she was gone. I blinked open my eyes. Grayson was staring down at me, relieved. "You're okay."

I exhaled shakily. "You're not mad at mefor what happened with Dylan?"

Before I could process it, the words were out. He smiled faintly, concern and something deeper in his eyes. "I was…but then I heard you were in trouble." He sighed. "I guess I'm not mad anymore, but I need you to use your psychic abilities to send a message."

What?

We were back in that place from my dream, but the conversation was different. He wasn't mad. "What did you just say?" I asked, my voice shaky.

His gaze hardened. "My wolf is gone again. I'll deal with it later. But right now, I need you to get us help."

I reached inside, but felt only emptiness. Déjà vu hit me. She wasn't responding.

I sighed. "She's not answering."

He glanced around, then back at me. "Then we've got a serious problem. We're trapped here…and we can't get out because of the—"

"Barrier," I finished, my voice a whisper. A chill ran through me as I saw surprise flash across his face before he grimly nodded.

"But that's not all," he continued, gazing at the trees. I saw it too. They were moving, creeping closer. "I thought it was my imagination…but I'm sure. The trees are closing in, Ava. We need to get out before they reach us…or we might not make it."

The final "色" appears to be an extraneous character and has been removed.