At the Marshal's Estate.
Sick and feverish, Ruby Rowland frowned in deep distress. The moment Shawn Russell left the room, she buried herself under the blankets, crying softly with her eyes squeezed shut. She was trapped in a nightmare. In her dream, she stood stranded in absolute darkness. There was nothing around her—only a bizarre, terrifying silence. After what felt like an eternity, she finally saw her parents from her past life. They reached out to her, their faces glowing with warm, affectionate smiles.
"Come here," she heard them call out.
Her eyes instantly lit up. Without a second thought, she scrambled to her feet and ran toward them, a soft, radiant smile blossoming on her face. But before she could reach them, two slightly younger children materialized out of thin air right in front of her. A boy and a girl threw themselves into her parents' arms, giggling happily.
