Third person's POV
The days after Aria vanished were heavy — like the whole town held its breath. Silver Ridge High moved on as if nothing happened, but the empty seat in the front row said otherwise.
Emma tried to pretend she didn’t notice. Brenda couldn’t.
Every night, she woke drenched in sweat, her dreams crowded with fire and screams and a voice whispering, Find her before it’s too late.
She’d seen Aria’s face — not the sweet, stubborn girl she loved like a sister — but something darker behind her eyes. Something old.
Tonight, she decided she couldn’t stay quiet anymore.
***********
The Ashbourne house was half-lit, silent except for the ticking clock in the hallway when Brenda knocked. Cole answered the door, shirt half-buttoned, his expression cold but weary.
“She’s not here
