The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 94: Ch : The start of a Nightmare - Part 2

Selene lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling.

The shadows twisted and warped, playing tricks on her tired mind.

She had tried to sleep, really tried, but every time she closed her eyes, a nightmare clawed its way into her consciousness.

Images of dark corridors, echoing whispers, and cold hands pulling her into the void haunted her.

’What the heck am I doing? What are those visions? I never got them in my past life? So why...’

She’d jerk awake, heart pounding, sheets damp with sweat.

She had lost count of how many times this had happened through the night.

Beside her, Ethan slept on the small couch he’d pulled into her room, his breathing steady and peaceful. She didn’t want to wake him.

’I want to wake Ethan up...but that won’t be right. He needs his sleep as well.’

With a resigned sigh, Selene sat up.

The exhaustion hung over her like a heavy blanket, but the thought of facing another nightmare was worse.

She wrapped a blanket around herself and moved to the window, pressing her forehead against the cool glass.

The sky was just beginning to lighten, soft shades of gray creeping over the horizon.

She’d make it through the night without sleep if she had to. After all, it was just a few more hours.

However, that decision turned out to be the worse one for Selene. When morning finally arrived, Selene felt like a ghost.

Her body moved sluggishly, limbs weighted down, and her vision swayed every time she blinked.

She managed to slip out of her room without waking Ethan, grateful that he hadn’t noticed her unrest.

Selene held onto the banister as she descended the stairs, but the world tilted. Her knees buckled, and she stumbled forward, nearly collapsing into Orion.

"Whoa! Selene, are you okay?"

His arms came around her, steadying her before she hit the ground. His warm, concerned gaze bore into her.

She forced a shaky smile, straightening up and putting a few inches of space between them.

"I’m fine. Just a bit... tired."

Zara, who had been setting the table for breakfast, looked over with a frown.

"You look like you haven’t slept at all."

Selene waved a hand, dismissing their worries.

"I got enough rest. I’m good to go."

Neither of them looked convinced, but they let it slide.

Selene sat down at the table, trying to keep her head from lolling forward as Zara set a steaming cup of coffee in front of her.

"Drink. You look like you need it."

Zara ordered.

Selene took a sip, the bitterness jolting her senses. It helped, but not nearly enough.

After breakfast, Selene pulled up the dungeon report on her system.

"I was thinking we could hit the ’Lost Grove’ today. It’s not too high-level, and it’ll help us stock up on materials."

She suggested but silence greeted her proposal.

Selene looked up to find Ethan, Zara, and Orion all staring at her with varying degrees of concern.

Ethan was the first to speak.

"No."

Selene’s brow furrowed.

"What do you mean, no?"

"I mean you’re not going to the dungeon today. You need sleep, Selene. You can barely stand as it is."

His tone left no room for argument.

Her exhaustion morphed into irritation.

"You can’t tell me what to do."

Ethan ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly as if to calm himself.

"I’m not telling you what to do. I’m asking you not to get yourself killed. If you go in your current state, you’ll be a liability."

The word struck a nerve.

"A liability? I’ve survived worse, Ethan. I can handle this.""

She stood up too quickly, the room spinning. She gripped the edge of the table to keep her balance.

The tension between them pulled tight, the air charged with frustration.

Zara stepped in, raising his hands.

"Okay, let’s all take a breath. I’m with Ethan on this one. You look like you need rest. Just sit this one out."

She turned to Selene, his voice gentle but firm.

Even Orion nodded.

"We can handle it. You’ve been pushing yourself too hard. You deserve a break."

Selene’s shoulders slumped.

She felt cornered, surrounded by her own team who seemed determined to sideline her.

’TRAITORS! They are all traitors to me.’

She opened her mouth to argue, but the looks on their faces told her it was useless.

"Fine! I’ll stay."

She said through gritted teeth.

The others visibly relaxed, their stances easing as if a storm had passed.

They began discussing their strategy for the dungeon, and Selene nodded along, pretending to listen. But beneath the surface, her mind was whirring.

Her pulse quickened as an idea began to form.

She’d promised to stay home, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t go on her own.

If she could clear the dungeon solo—or at least make significant progress—she could prove to them that she wasn’t as fragile as they thought.

It was a reckless plan, and she knew it. But stubbornness burned in her chest, pushing back the exhaustion.

As Ethan, Zara, and Orion prepared their gear, Selene pretended to yawn, stretching and heading back to her room.

"I’ll just get a bit of rest. Be safe" ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

She told them, adding a weak smile for good measure.

They offered quick goodbyes, already focused on their task ahead. The front door closed with a soft click, and Selene remained motionless until she was certain they were gone.

Her heart pounded. She moved quickly, grabbing her gear and a light pack. She kept her movements quiet, ears straining for any sign that they might return.

A part of her knew this was foolish.

Her body screamed for sleep, her head ached, and her vision still swayed at the edges. But beneath all that was the simmering need to prove herself. To show them that she wasn’t weak.

She slipped out the back door, the cold morning air biting against her skin. Each step felt heavier than the last, but her resolve hardened with every breath.

As she reached the street, she couldn’t shake the suspicion that she was making a mistake.

But it was too late to turn back now.