Lyra's eyes widened as a hand clamped down on her shoulder, fingers digging deep into her flesh. Another hand slapped across her mouth, a soft cloth pressing against her lips.
She tried to scream, but the sound died in her throat. The handkerchief's sweet, chemical scent flooded her nostrils, making her head spin.
Lyra's body tensed, panic fueling her struggle. She kicked backwards, but her legs felt heavy, unresponsive.
The hand holding the handkerchief tightened, pressing the cloth deeper into her mouth. Lyra's vision blurred, colours bleeding together.
She stumbled, her heels scraping against the ground as she was dragged into the shadows. Her arms flailed wildly, but her muscles weakened, limbs trembling.
Lyra's thoughts scattered like shattered glass, her mind numbing as an icy c
