The next evening on campus...
The school quad was filled with flickering candlelight. Students and faculty gathered in a solemn circle for a candle night vigil in memory of Harrison’s mother.
A small memorial photo of her stood on a table draped in black cloth.
Soft murmurs filled the air.
One student whispered, “It’s so sad what happened to her... burned in that lab accident.”
Another replied, “Yeah, they say it was horrible.
The school thought this would help the community heal.”
Harrison stood at the edge of the crowd in human form, eyes hollow, a single candle in his hand. Annie lingered nearby but kept her distance.
A professor stepped forward. “Does anyone want to say a few words?”
Harrison stared at the flame, tears welling up again. He stepped forward slowly.
“She wasn’t
