Literature
Chapter 2
As the days passed since Claire's return, Emily couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered beneath the surface. Despite the joy of having her sister back, there was a palpable tension between them, an unspoken barrier that seemed to separate Claire from the rest of the world.
One evening, as they sat together in the cozy living room of their apartment, Emily broached the subject that had been weighing heavily on her mind.
"Claire," she began tentatively, "I know you've been through a lot, and I don't want to push you, but... can you tell me what happened? Where were you all these years?"
Claire's expression darkened, her gaze falling to her hands folded in her lap. For a moment, Emily feared she had overstepped her bounds, but then Claire spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It's... it's hard to explain, Em. I was lost... in more ways than one. I found myself in a place I never imagined, surrounded by darkness and despair."
Emily listened intently, her heart aching