Trapped In Her Head

[Ayla’s POV]

I stare down at the raging river below me as my feet dangle in the air. How many times have I thrown myself into that damned river to try to wake up, only to find myself back in this place? Again and again, it continued to happen, making it more and more clear that I wouldn't be able to wake up—not this time.

Was this the end? Had the thing I dreaded finally happened, and that was why I couldn’t get back?

As this thought hits me, I throw myself forward once more and close my eyes while the wind whips my hair around, but just like the other times, the minute my body connects with the rocks, I feel solid earth beneath me.

Sighing, I lean back as a large shadow covers me and a familiar energy presses against my skin.

"You’re back?" I ask, lifting my gaze to meet Barren’s. "How goes it in the real world?"

From what I knew, Barren had also been arrested when I was and was currently sitting in a prison cell awaiting a trial due to the murders he and I were both accused of.

As f