died on a
t's what the h
lice rule out foul play. Family requests privacy." Sonia Vale read those words on her phone as a nu
t even see
Gold crest Drive. They told her there was blood. But not once did tht the floor. Her blazer felt too heavy on her shoulders. She hadn't slept. Hadn't ea
ome. It'
was
r body wasn't crying. It wasn't doing anything at all. It was like her mind had zipped up h
Vale... your mother has signed for a priv
ed. "Cremati
nderstand. She didn't want
, but no words came. She just nodded, then turned and walked
-
as smaller tha
in the front row, staring at the polished wood table where her twin's ashes were suppos
t the type t
to crash his car a
nd where was his phone? His last texts? No accident footage. No police report made public. No men
y. She walked into his old bedroom lik
l smelled lik
e corner with a broken stri
oked untouched except for a plain gra
about it fe
up. A soft thud
k and worn, with Silas's handwr
. Start here.
ages of scribbles, codes, maps of Daxton's campus,
Crowns." A chill raced down her back. Her brother hadn't just died. He wa
-
bathroom mirror, her scissors trembling. S
ed herself into his black uniform blazer. And when she star
saw him. Not the real Silas.
-
mother found her suit
ng?" she asked, eye
" "You can't." "I already transferred," she lied. "Sonia, please..." "I'm not asking, Mother
-
d the notebook like a lifeline. Page after
fway through, one name
s didn't trust. And the only
-
n, blazer soaked, hair plastered down. A tall figu
e says, voice sh
her chin
. "You're late. And different." Sonia's h
round of Silas's videos. It's Eric Bla