thick and suffocating. The kind of silence that creeps into your soul and lingers. I sat beside Levi, my body motionless, my thoug

my head was pounding, and my eyes were burning from unshed tears. But beyond the physical fatigue was something f

f what I had seen. My vision blurred every few seconds, switching between the present and that terrib

the worst was over, anot

say anything-just guided me to the entrance of the bedroom and paused. I expected him to co

he d

oorway like a sta

ked softly, my voice cracki

nreadable. "I have something import

I got here. I didn't bother pushing further. I was too tired, and frankly,

e and closed th

d onto the bed. But sleep didn't come. Not even close. My head felt

ven if just for a little while. But no. My thoughts kept racing, kept dragging me

Distraction. Something to ground me. Maybe a walk would help. Maybe

of the room and head

my mind. The flowers looked soft and delicate, their petals glowing under the pale moonlight. For a moment

, the calming rustle of leaves. And for a few fleeting seconds, I actually forgot my cu

en I s

ind tall hedges and surrounded by a few wild plants. It looked like a shed-pro

, intending to w

when I

e

re?" I muttered unde

curiosity overtook fear, and I began to follow him-quietly, caref

osely, my heart

ilding and shut t

ait

inutes

n t

minute, he stil

I needed to know. My feet moved before I could stop them, carrying me closer-ste

he window

h

AAA

ierced the air

ears rang from the sharpness of the sound.

t... a

creamed q

here be a g

as sh

Le

the thought that Levi might be in danger-or

y, I peered back

w nearly stop

oo

ad b

dead

im. A gun in his hand. His finger sti

fr

Couldn't breath

evi-was a

de. This wasn't a dream. This

led Sam. His

tes passed. Then Levi began to drag Sam's lifeles

eat so fast I thought it might explode. I wanted to confront him. Ask him. Scream

lowerbed. The strong scent masked my presence, a

n faster than I ever had in my life

lower scent and the stench of fear. I changed into

later, Levi en

e

a

oce

man I just saw murder so

stay still, to stay quiet. He entered the b

sle

couldn't sleep.

n a cage. And Levi