Chapter 56. Heal

“Serenity,” River suddenly called, halting my thoughts as he held both my arms. “Tell me. What are you feeling right now?”

River… He’s the only person I opened myself to. I gave everything to him, knowing that he won’t hurt me like the others. That was what my mind and heart told me.

But something is destroying all my senses. Something I couldn’t even figure out.

His presence should have been familiar, but it wasn’t. Not anymore.

“I… I don’t know,” I admitted, my hands shaking in fear. “What’s happening? Who… Who are you?”

For a moment, I forgot who he was. He became just a stranger in my eyes.

My heart knows him, but my mind couldn’t recognize him. It feels like something’s clouding my mind.

His eyes darkened, and pain crossed his face.

“I’m River,” he said quietly, almost like he was reassuring himself as much as me. “I don’t know what’s happening, but I’m here. You’re safe here.”

“River…” I muttered.

Saying his name felt