For days now, Jasmin felt eyes watching her—
on her way home,
in the school hallways,
even the moment she stepped through the school gates.

Ever since the camp—since the night she was nearly taken—something inside her had changed.

It’s just your imagination, Jasmin.
She tried to convince herself again and again.

But something deep inside insisted it wasn’t imagination. Something told her the danger never left.

She hid her fear well, pretending that nothing was wrong. But deep down, she wanted to lock herself in her room and never step outside again.

I’m scared for my life now.

She didn’t know how to deal with it, nor who she could trust with the truth. She sat alone on her bed, trembling.

I need to report this…

Her parents didn’t know she went missing during the camp. She never told them about the man who almost took her. Even remembering it made her hands shake.

I don’t want to die. I still want to live, she whispered to herself whenever panic took over.

She feared staying home alone.
Feared walking to school alone.
Feared the quiet. Feared the shadows.

She wanted her life back—but normal no longer felt possible.

Should I go to the police? Would they even believe me?

Her breath hitched. The anxiety, the fear—it wouldn’t let her go.

One late afternoon, she walked home alone. The sky was caught between dusk and darkness, the streets quieter than usual.

She tried ignoring that familiar presence behind her—the one she felt every time she walked alone. She was too exhausted to turn around.

As she reached her street, her steps quickened. Her eyes scanned every corner.

No one.

But her heart wouldn’t stop racing.

Finally, she reached her house.

Relief washed over her—
until she heard it:

A click.

Metal on metal.

A gun.

Jasmin froze. The cold barrel pressed against her temple. Her breath caught.

Then—

BANG.

The world spun.

Her knees buckled.
Warm blood spread across her clothing.
Her vision blurred.

She staggered toward the door, but her strength drained instantly.

She turned—
and saw a face.

Not the whole face.
Just a smile.

Cold.
Satisfied.

Darkness swallowed her.

“—smin… Jasmin.”

She jolted awake.

Ellese and Felisa stood before her, eyes filled with sorrow.

Felisa rushed to embrace her.

“How sad… You were caught in the middle,” she whispered.

“Am I… dead?” Jasmin asked, voice trembling.

Ellese nodded.

Jasmin stared at her own hands—transparent, trembling.

“Then why am I still here? Am I… your escort?”

Felisa shook her head gently.
“Souls like us—those who die with pain—can’t leave easily. Your heart still can’t accept how your life ended.”

“What can we do?” Jasmin whispered. “We’re just one soul in a world where people forget so quickly…”

Deep inside her, something screamed for justice, even as her spirit trembled in denial.

How can I fight for justice if death means silent defeat?

Suddenly, Ellese took her hand.

Everything went dark.

Then—
noise.

Voices.
Murmurs.
Shouts.

“Where are we?” Jasmin asked.

Ellese pointed ahead.

People were gathered outside her home—neighbors, police, strangers.

Jasmin stepped closer, trembling.

And then—
she saw it.

Her body.

Bloodied.
Lifeless.
Riddled with bullets.

Her parents ran toward the scene.

“My child!” her father screamed. “My child! What happened?! Why?!”

Jasmin broke.
She cried, though no one living could hear her.

So this is how it feels…
to die unprepared.
To be stolen from life before you can even fight back.

Felisa placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Let’s go,” she said softly.

They walked again into darkness.

But they did not reach the light.

“We’re just lost souls, Jasmin,” Ellese explained quietly. “When we die with fear and hatred in our hearts, we wander in the dark—just like the others murdered before us.”

Only now did Jasmin see them—
souls drifting all around.
All women.
All victims.

All lost.

“I won’t stay like this,” Jasmin whispered. “I want peace. I will find a way.”

“We’re tired too, Jasmin,” Ellese said sadly. “But it’s hard to find the light when forgiveness feels impossible.”

Felisa walked beside her, eyes filled with sorrow.

“If you want peace,” Ellese continued, gripping her hand, “then help us. Help us find the people who can save others. Convince them.”

Jasmin didn’t answer.

But her silence spoke louder than words.

Her new journey had begun.