The days bled into each other.

Rain.

Then silence.

Then whispers again.

Elena had started therapy, though “therapy” felt like the wrong word for what she did there. Most days, she sat across from the woman with kind eyes, trying to explain something that couldn’t be seen.

 It’s not like I hear her, she said one session, twisting a tissue in her hands.

It’s more like… she’s behind my thoughts. Like a shadow that breathes.

The therapist wrote something down, nodded slowly.“

Sometimes grief sounds like a voice, she said gently. Sometimes it takes shape so you can face it.

But Elena didn’t want to face it.

She wanted to hold it.

Because at night, when the whisper came, it wasn’t scary.

It was Amara.

Soft, teasing, like the way she used to mock Elena’s serious face when she was studying too long.

 You’re still trying to fix everything, the voice murmured.

You couldn’t fix me.

Elena cried into her pillow. She didn’t want to forget that voice, even if it was just her own mind breaking it apart and putting it back together.

Meanwhile, at the precinct, Dylan sat through his third round of questioning.

The detective placed the evidence bag on the table, the locket again, glinting under the light.

Still want to tell us you’ve never seen it before? the detective asked.

Dylan swallowed hard.

It wasn’t me, he said quietly. She came over that night, yeah. But she left. I swear she left.

But the timeline didn’t match.

The security footage near the park showed no sign of Amara leaving the area.

And his phone records messages deleted, late-night calls pointed toward a pattern the police didn’t like.

The detective leaned forward.

Dylan, it’s not looking good for you.

Outside the room, Zoe watched through the glass, her arms crossed, eyes wet.

She knew Dylan was lying.

She also knew the truth could ruin her too.

That night, Elena couldn’t sleep.

The whisper was louder. Closer

 I was a mess Elena.

 And now that am gone 

You can finally stop worrying.

She sat up, heart pounding.

The voice didn’t fade this time. It stayed, humming beneath her breath.

For a moment, she almost spoke back.

Silence.

Then, faintly 

Am really gone....