Ava's world went dark, and she felt herself being dragged away. She tried to struggle, but her body felt heavy and unresponsive. She was trapped in a nightmare, unable to wake up.
When she came to, Ava found herself in a dimly lit room. She was lying on a cold, metal table, and her wrists and ankles were restrained by thick straps. She looked around, trying to take in her surroundings.
The room was small and sterile, with walls lined with medical equipment and cabinets. Ava saw a figure standing in the corner, watching her. It was one of the doctors from the sanitarium.
"Welcome back," the doctor said, his voice dripping with malice. "We've been waiting for you."
Ava's mind reeled as she realized the truth. She had never escaped the sanitarium. Everything she had experienced since her supposed escape had been a simulation, a test to see how she would react.
The doctor stepped forward, a syringe in his hand. "You're a perfect subject," he said. "You've shown remarkable resilience and determination. But now, it's time for the final phase of the experiment."
Ava's heart pounded in her chest as she realized what was happening. She was going to be subjected to another round of experiments, and she might not survive.
The doctor injected her with a substance, and Ava felt a wave of darkness wash over her. She knew she had to fight, but her body felt heavy and unresponsive.
As the darkness closed in, Ava saw a glimmer of hope. She remembered the story she had written, the one she had given to Sarah. If Sarah had published it, the world might know the truth about the sanitarium.
Ava's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. The door burst open, and a group of investigators stormed in. They were led by a woman with a determined look on her face.
"You're under arrest," she said, her voice firm. "The experiments are over. You're going to face justice."
Ava's heart soared as she realized that she might finally be free. But as she looked at the doctor, she saw a glimmer of defiance in his eyes.
"It's not over yet," he whispered, before being dragged away.
Ava's eyes locked onto the investigator, and she knew that she would never forget this moment. She was finally going to get the justice she deserved.
But as she was wheeled out of the room, Ava caught a glimpse of something that made her blood run cold. A file on the doctor's desk, labeled with a single word: "Phoenix."
Ava's mind reeled as she realized that this might not be the end of the story. The true extent of the sanitarium's experiments and the identities of those involved might still be hidden.
As Ava was taken away from the sanitarium, she knew that she would never be the same again. But she was determined to make sure that the truth was finally revealed, and that those responsible would be held accountable.
The darkness of the sanitarium was finally receding, and Ava was stepping into the light. But she knew that the road ahead would be long and difficult, and that she would have to fight to uncover the truth.
And then, Ava saw Sarah, standing outside the sanitarium, a look of determination on her face. "We're not done yet," she said. "We have a story to tell."
Ava smiled, knowing that she had found an ally in Sarah. Together, they would uncover the truth, no matter what it took.