Present day
~Aria~
The house felt tighter the moment I stepped in.
Like the walls had learned to hold their breath.
Emma’s curtains were drawn halfway, letting thin lines of dusty sunlight slice through the room. The particles floated like they were suspended in time — like even the air was afraid to move too loudly.
Pete sat on the floor, his back to the bed.
Lydia stood by the window.
Brenda leaned against the opposite wall, arms crossed.
No one spoke when I walked in.
They only… felt me.
I felt it too.
That awful, quiet pressure.
I've already been filled in about what the problem was on my way, so I got into action immediately.
I looked at the desk.
At the towel.
At the shape beneath it.
And the strangest thought crossed my mind.
This feels familiar.
My fingers twitch
