Episode 25: The Ghost That Won’t Let Go
668 Words
The Nightmare That Feels Too Real
Claire’s breath hitched.
A presence behind her.
Too close.
Too warm.
Too familiar.
She didn’t move.
Didn’t breathe.
Because she knew.
She should be alone.
Ethan was gone.
Ethan was dead.
Then why did she still feel him?
A hand brushed over her waist.
Fingers ghosting over bare skin.
Her pulse skipped.
The whisper came again, softer this time.
"You can’t run from me, sweetheart."
Her chest tightened.
Her throat closed.
Because it wasn’t a dream.
It wasn’t a memory.
Ethan was really here.
Waking Up—And the Fear That Follows
Claire’s eyes snapped open.
Her room was dark.
Cold.
Her breath came ragged, uneven.
She pressed a hand to her racing heart.
It was just a dream.
Just a dream.
But then—
A shadow moved in the corner.
Her stomach dropped.
She wasn’t alone.
Her voice trembled.
"Who's there?"
Silence.
The air felt too thick.
Like someone was watching her.
She gripped the blanket, forcing herself to breathe.
It wasn’t real.
Ethan was gone.
Ethan was dead.
Wasn’t he?
Ryan Thinks It’s Over—But Claire Knows It’s Not
The next morning, Claire sat in silence.
Her hands wrapped around a mug of coffee.
Ryan watched her carefully.
"You barely slept," he murmured.
Claire’s fingers tightened.
"I’m fine."
Ryan didn’t believe her.
He reached for her hand.
"You don’t have to be strong, Claire."
Her stomach twisted.
Because Ryan thought it was over.
Thought she was safe now.
Thought Ethan was gone forever.
But Claire?
Claire wasn’t sure anymore.
Because last night?
Last night, she had felt him.
He had touched her.
Spoken to her.
And the worst part?
Some part of her still wanted to believe it was real.
The First Sign That Something’s Wrong
Claire stood in front of the bathroom mirror.
Her breath shaky.
Her pulse uneven.
She wasn’t crazy.
She just needed sleep.
That was all.
She turned on the sink.
Splashed cold water on her face.
Took a deep breath.
And when she looked up—
She saw it.
A shadow in the mirror.
Behind her.
Standing just inches away.
Her body went still.
Her pulse roared in her ears.
No.
No, it wasn’t possible.
She turned slowly.
The room was empty.
But before she could breathe—
A whisper.
Low. Dark. Right beside her ear.
"Miss me?"
Claire’s vision blurred.
Her knees buckled.
Because she knew now.
She knew the truth.
Ethan wasn’t gone.
He had never left.
Ryan Notices Claire Slipping
Ryan’s jaw tightened.
Claire was different.
Distant.
Like she was somewhere else.
Like she was still trapped.
"Claire."
She barely looked at him.
His fingers curled into a fist.
"You’re still thinking about him, aren’t you?"
Her stomach dropped.
She opened her mouth—
But no words came out.
Because Ryan was right.
Ethan was haunting her.
And she didn’t know if she wanted him to stop.
Ryan exhaled sharply.
"He’s dead, Claire," he said, voice tight.
Her chest ached.
Because what if he wasn’t?
What if he was still watching?
What if he was still waiting?
And what if—
What if some part of her still wanted him to?
The Second Sign—And the Night That Changes Everything
Claire told herself she was imagining things.
That Ethan’s voice was just guilt.
That his touch was just a dream.
But that night—
That night, she woke up gasping.
Because someone was breathing against her neck.
Someone was lying beside her.
The air was thick. Heavy.
And then—
A hand slid over her waist.
Claire froze.
She knew that touch.
That grip.
That heat.
And then—
A low, husky whisper.
"You thought you could leave me, sweetheart?"
Her lungs stalled.
Because this time?
This time, Claire wasn’t dreaming.
Ethan was real.
Ethan was here.
And now?
Now, she had to ask herself the most terrifying question of all.
Did Ethan ever really need reality to keep her?
Or had he always been something more?
(To Be Continued…)
- Writer
