**Spiraling into Darkness**

As the days turned into weeks, Ashley's world began to shrink. The funeral was a distant memory, but the pain of her loss had not lessened. If anything, it had intensified, suffocating her with its weight. She lay in bed most days, the curtains drawn, the room dimly lit, as if mirroring her mood. The only sound was the occasional cry from Ender, who was beginning to sense his mother's despair. Ashley's days were a blur of nothingness. She would only get up to feed Ender, mechanically going through the motions, but with no enthusiasm or energy. She had lost all interest in the things she used to enjoy, and even the thought of taking care of her son felt like a chore. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of depression, and she didn't know how to keep her head above water. As she lay in bed, Ashley couldn't help but think about her mother. She missed her so much, and the thought of living without her was almost too much to bear. She began to feel like she wanted to die, to be with her mother in the afterlife. The thought was both terrifying and comforting at the same time. She felt like she was losing her grip on reality, and she didn't know how to hold on. Ender, sensing his mother's distress, would often climb into bed with her, and Ashley would hold him tight, trying to find comfort in his small body. But even his presence couldn't chase away the darkness that had settled over her. She felt like she was disappearing, bit by bit, and she didn't know how to stop it. As the days turned into weeks, Ashley's friends and family tried to reach out to her, but she pushed them away. She didn't want to talk to anyone, didn't want to pretend to be okay when she wasn't. She just wanted to be left alone, to wallow in her grief and despair. One day, as she lay in bed, Ashley realized that she hadn't showered in days. She hadn't brushed her hair, or washed her clothes. She was a mess, and she knew it. But she didn't care. She didn't have the energy to care. All she wanted to do was sleep, and escape the pain of her reality. As she drifted off to sleep, Ashley felt like she was losing herself. She didn't know who she was anymore, or what she wanted. All she knew was that she was tired, so tired, and she just wanted to rest. But as she slept, she knew that she was running away from her problems, and that eventually, she would have to face them head-on.