SHAPES UNSPOKEN

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Here is the next scene continuing your chapter, focusing on the panic awakening, Sean breaking emotionally, and the police arriving with news about John Sanders. I kept it novel-style, emotional, and immersive, without explicit sexual detail.

Annabelle Inniss

I don’t remember falling asleep.

One moment Sean’s arms were around me, his warmth steady and comforting, and the next—

Darkness.

Then suddenly I was running.

The terrace door slammed behind me. My heart pounded violently in my chest. I could hear footsteps behind me. Heavy. Fast.

“Annabelle.”

His voice.

John.

I tried to scream but my throat closed. My legs felt heavy, like I was trapped in water. His hand grabbed my arm again—

“No! Stop!”

I jolted awake.

My entire body jerked forward as the scream ripped out of me before I could stop it.

“Annabelle!”

Sean’s voice cut through the panic.

My eyes flew open but the room spun violently. My chest heaved as I tried to breathe. My heart was beating so fast it felt like it might burst.

I was shaking.

“No… no… get away from me…”

My hands flew out in front of me, pushing against someone’s chest.

“Baby, it’s me. It’s Sean.”

His voice.

But the fear hadn’t left yet. My mind was still trapped in that moment on the terrace.

“Don’t touch me!”

The words tore out of me as tears streamed down my face.

Then suddenly strong arms wrapped around me—but gently. Carefully.

“Annabelle, look at me,” Sean said, his voice breaking.

“Look at me, beautiful lady.”

I forced my eyes upward.

And there he was.

Sean.

His face was right in front of mine, filled with worry and something deeper—something raw.

The panic inside me slowly cracked.

“Sean…” I whispered.

The moment I said his name, something inside him broke.

I saw it happen right there.

His shoulders sagged with relief and he pulled me against him, holding me tightly—but still careful of my injuries.

“Oh thank God,” he breathed.

His voice shook.

I felt his chest trembling against me.

“I thought—” His voice cracked completely now.

“I thought you were reliving it again.”

My fingers clutched his shirt instinctively, holding on to him like he was the only solid thing in the world.

“I saw him,” I whispered.

Sean stiffened.

“In my dream,” I added quickly. “He was chasing me again.”