But Ash didn’t say a word.
He only stood there, staring at the closed door like he could will it open.
Like he was waiting to be let back inside.
His hand hovered at his cheek—the one she’d touched—fingers trembling like he was trying to hold on to the shape of her.
Chapter 24
Seph
I dreamed of water.
It surrounded me, numbed me. There was light, but it was blurred, distorted—like I was looking through something thick.
Where am I?
Something was in my throat. Rubber. Invasive.
I gagged, panic flaring as I tried to breathe.
What is happening to me?
I tried to move. Tried to strike out—
My hand hit glass.
Solid. Unyielding.
Glass?
Help me.
The word clawed at my chest, silent and useless.
HELP ME.
I woke with a violent jolt in my dorm room.
I sucked in air, coughing, one hand flying to my throat. For a second—just a second—it still felt tight. Raw. Like something had been there and only just been removed.
My heart hammered as I forced myself to breathe normally.
I sat up, dragging a hand down my face.
On the desk beside my bed lay the scraggly note my… ghost had drawn.
Echo.
I smiled despite myself and stood, peering at it. The paper lay there as if it were watching me back.
A faint whisper brushed my cheek. Not a sound—more a feeling.
Sad.
Knock knock!
The sharp rap on the door made me jump.
