Laeticia's voice trembled like a fading melody.
"Why did you do that to me, Elias?"
Elias froze. His breath caught sharp, like glass in his throat.
She stepped closer, her form flickering between shadow and light.
"I was afraid of you," she whispered.
"Not because you were cruel—but because you mattered. If you had just spoken to me… opened your mouth and let me in… I swear, I would've fought for us."
Her hand clutched her chest, eyes shining with a sorrow that cut deep.
"You knew. You knew I was terrified of being left behind. And still, you walked away. Left me drowning in questions I never got to ask. I cried for you, Elias. I grieved you before I ever died."
Her voice cracked.
"Now? I don't think I'm the same anymore. Maybe I'm the one who's broken now. Maybe not enough to fade completely… but enough to hurt like hell."
She looked up at him—tears in her eyes that shouldn't exist.
"It wasn't your fault. My heart gave up—not because of you—but because it didn't know how to live without you."
Silence wrapped around them like fog.
Then softer. Broken.
"I missed you. I miss you so much."
She reached out—
And vanished.
No scream. No warning. Just gone.
A cold gust ripped through Elias. His knees buckled. He reached for her, but there was nothing to hold.
Then—
He saw her again.
No.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Laeticias. All around him.
Laughing. Crying. Reaching. Bleeding.
"Which one are you?" he whispered, voice cracking.
None answered.
The line between memory and reality shattered. The room twisted around him. His breath hitched. His heartbeat thundered in his ears.
Was this the soul's doing?
Was she still here?
Or was this just another trick?
His body trembled.
And for the first time in years…
Elias whispered,
"I need your help."