WHISPERS IN THE DARK

Warmth. Not the gentle kind from sunlight or soft sheets. This was different. This was… alive. Elizabeth felt it before she understood it a slow, steady heat curling around her, pressing into her back, wrapping around her waist like it belonged there. Her breath faltered. A hand rested against her stomach. Firm. Unyielding. Possessive. Her body stilled not out of fear, but something far more confusing. Awareness. “You’re trembling…” a low voice murmured behind her. The sound didn’t just reach her ears it moved through her, deep and slow. Elizabeth swallowed. She didn’t turn. She couldn’t. Because somehow, she knew If she did, everything would change. “I… don’t know you,” she whispered. The hand on her tightened slightly. “I know,” he replied. Simple. Certain. Her heart began to beat faster, each pulse heavier than the last. Then his other hand moved. Slowly deliberately it traced along her arm. From her wrist… up to her elbow… higher. Elizabeth’s breath hitched. Every nerve in her body awakened at once. “You feel it,” he said quietly. Not a question. Her eyes fluttered shut. “Yes…” she admitted. The word slipped out like a secret. A pause followed. Heavy. Measured. Then he leaned closer. His presence surrounded her completely, leaving no room to think. Only to feel. “I’ve been waiting,” he whispered. A shiver ran down her spine. “Waiting… for what?” she asked softly. “For you.” Her heart stopped. Then returned harder. Louder. “That doesn’t make any sense,” she said, her voice trembling. Nothing about this made sense. Not the way he held her. Not the way her body responded. Not the way he felt… familiar. “I don’t even know who you are,” she added. This time, he didn’t answer immediately. His grip tightened slightly, grounding her. “You will,” he said finally. A promise. Or a warning. Elizabeth’s chest rose faster now. She needed to see him. Needed to understand. Slowly, she began to turn His grip stopped her. “Don’t.” That one word carried restraint. Not control. “Why?” she asked. “Why can’t I see you?” Silence. Then his hand moved to her chin, tilting her slightly. “If you see me…” his voice dropped, rougher now, “you won’t be able to forget me.” A sharp shiver ran through her. It didn’t sound like arrogance. It sounded like truth. Elizabeth’s lips parted. “Maybe I don’t want to forget,” she whispered. The moment the words left her, she froze. But she meant them. Behind her, his grip tightened just slightly. “You should,” he said quietly. But something in his voice shifted. Something strained. “Why?” she pressed. No answer. Instead, his hand slid from her chin to her shoulder… lingering. Like he didn’t want to let go. “Because this…” he murmured, “isn’t a world you belong in.” Her brows furrowed. “What does that mean” The feeling shifted. Like something was slipping away. “No wait ,she started, turning Elizabeth’s eyes snapped open. Darkness. Her room. Gone. He was gone. Her chest rose sharply as she sat up, gripping the sheets. “Not again…” It always ended like this. Right when it felt real. Too real. Her heart still raced, her body reacting like he was still there. Slowly, she lifted her hand to her arm The exact place he had touched. Her breath caught. For a second It still felt warm. Elizabeth pulled her hand back quickly. “This is crazy,” she whispered. It had to be. Just a dream. But dreams didn’t feel like that. Didn’t linger. Didn’t leave traces. Right? She ran a hand through her hair, trying to steady herself. But the feeling remained. That voice. Those words. I’ve been waiting. “For me?” she muttered. It didn’t make sense. And yet… it didn’t feel random. Morning came, but it brought no answers. “Good morning, Dad. Good morning, Mom,” she said, her tone controlled. “Buenos días, mi ángel,” her father replied warmly. She smiled faintly. Everything looked normal. But she wasn’t. Her mind drifted back to the dream. The way he held her. The way he stopped her from seeing him. Why? “You’re quiet,” her father said. “Just tired,” she replied. But deep down, she knew.. Something had already started. “I’m heading out!” she called. “Be careful, angel,” her father said. Elizabeth stepped outside, the sunlight hitting her skin. But it didn’t ground her. If anything, it made everything feel sharper. “Why do you feel so real…” she murmured. Her steps slowed. Then stopped. That feeling again. Sudden. Unmistakable. Like someone was there. Watching. Waiting. Her breath caught as she turned. People moved normally around her. Everything looked normal. But it didn’t feel normal. Not anymore. Because deep down… She knew. This wasn’t over. It was just beginning.