The Aftermath: Karl's Violent Awakening

Detective Karl Jenkins wakes up from the horrifying nightmare, physically and emotionally shaken by the intensity of the dream and its implications for the case.

Detective Karl Jenkins wakes up abruptly, the vivid and unsettling nightmare still fresh in his mind. He finds himself drenched in sweat, his heart pounding loudly in the silence of the room. The lingering sense of dread from the dream permeates the darkness, a tangible presence that refuses to dissipate.
  As Karl tries to catch his breath and regain his bearings, a sudden wave of nausea overtakes him. With barely enough time to react, he yanks back the doona just as the first convulsive wave of vomit surges up. The physical reaction is intense and uncontrollable, leaving Karl gasping and disoriented in its aftermath.
  Lying there, Karl grapples with the bitter taste in his mouth and the realisation that the nightmare was more than just a bad dream. It feels like a manifestation of all the tensions, fears, and uncertainties that have been building up inside him throughout the investigation. The dream's potency and the violent physical response it elicited serve as stark reminders of the toll the case is taking on him.
  As Karl slowly sits up, trying to regain his composure, he is acutely aware of the blurring boundaries between reality and imagination. The image of Luke's cold gaze and the whispered "Bye Karl" replay in his mind, sending shivers down his spine. The nightmare, though a product of his subconscious, feels ominously real, a twisted reflection of the complexities and dangers he faces in the waking world.
  The aftermath of the dream leaves Karl shaken and introspective, confronting the mounting strain the case is placing on his physical and mental well-being. The violent awakening serves as a stark reminder of the personal toll the investigation is taking, as Karl navigates the increasingly treacherous waters of the unfolding mystery.