Elena awoke with a throbbing headache that pulsed behind her eyes, intensifying with each attempt to move. Her body felt heavy, as if every muscle had been overworked, leaving her in a state of exhaustion. She tried to lift her arms, but they didn’t budge. Panic began to creep in as she realized that her wrists and ankles were bound tightly.
“Tied?” she whispered in confusion, her voice hoarse as she struggled to comprehend her situation. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear the fog from her mind, but it was no use. The room was dimly lit, casting eerie shadows on the walls that danced as she moved her head. The heat was oppressive, making it difficult to breathe, as if the air was thick with something unseen.
With a tremendous effort, Elena forced her eyes to focus, taking in her surrou
