Silver woke up to find the sun already setting, the golden-red hues of dusk spilling over the field of graves. She turned to her side, her heart heavy with the familiar stillness that had settled over her existence since her death. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps crunching over the gravel path. Turning her gaze, she saw him again, the man who had come every morning without fail. Only this time, it was evening.
"Again?" she whispered, her voice carried away by the gentle breeze. Her surprise grew; he had never visited at this hour. His clothes, wrinkled and dusted with the grime of a long day, suggested he had come straight from work. Something was different about him today, a heaviness in his step and an emotion in his eyes that stirred curiosity within her.
Silver rose, her translucent form gliding across the ground, and circled around him, trying to gauge his expression. The man, oblivious to her presence, stood in front of her grave. He bent slightly, placing a fresh bouquet of lilies on the weathered headstone, his shoulders hunched with the weight of unseen burdens. She moved closer and sat by the grave, her gaze never leaving him.
As she studied his face, she saw it clearly now: sadness and regret etched deeply into his features. His dark blue eyes were distant, his jaw clenched. Why, she wondered, did this man, a stranger in life, grieve for her in death?
The man's voice broke the silence. "I'm sorry," he said, his tone laden with sorrow. "I still can't find who did this to you and your family." His words hit Silver like a gust of cold wind. She watched him, her translucent hand instinctively clutching at her chest, though she no longer had a beating heart.
The man never spoke during his visits, but today, for the first time, she heard him speak.
He was relentless, coming here every day, laying flowers in silence, his presence heavy with unspoken sorrow. But now, his anguish was more evident than ever, his voice trembling with emotion as he finally broke his silence.
Silver felt a pang of something she hadn't experienced in a long time: gratitude. That a stranger cared so deeply, enough to seek justice for them, stirred something warm within her. She offered him a sad smile, even knowing he couldn't see her.
"I hope we meet again somewhere," Charlie said, his voice breaking. His words puzzled Silver. Meet again? Had they met before? She couldn't recall.
Charlie dropped to his knees, his head bowed as tears streamed freely down his face. Rain began to fall, soft at first, then harder, soaking him to the skin.
"I've loved you since the day I first saw you," he said, his voice almost drowned by the downpour. "You probably don't know me." He paused, his breath shaky. "My name is Charlie Howell. It was raining then, just like it is now, when I first saw you."
Silver stared at him in shock. Memories stirred faintly within her, like whispers in the wind. She had never expected anyone outside her family to love her. No relatives had come to lay flowers or seek justice. Only this man had made an effort. Her surprise gave way to a fleeting moment of happiness, but it was quickly replaced by a deep sadness.
She stood and walked closer to him, her expression soft but pained.
"Why didn't you confess while I was alive?" she asked, her voice trembling with frustration. "I wish I had known. It's too late now, but I can see how much you cared. I just wish I could have had the chance to understand your feelings."
Charlie looked up suddenly, as though he had heard her. His eyes darted around, searching for something, someone. Though Silver knew he couldn't see her, the intensity of his gaze made her step back. She realized then the depth of his sorrow and the truth of his love. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and a bright light enveloped them both. Silver felt herself being pulled, the sensation both terrifying and exhilarating.
When she opened her eyes again, she was in her bedroom. Sunlight filtered through sheer golden curtains, painting the walls in warm hues. She sat up, her breath caught in her throat as she took in the familiar sights: the soft, golden wallpaper, the delicate lace trim on the bedspread, the framed family photo on her nightstand. Everything was just as it had been before.
"Why am I back in my room? What is happening?" she whispered. Her confusion was interrupted by a knock at the door.
The door creaked open, revealing a small figure with golden hair and bright green eyes. "Sister, are you awake?" Ruby's voice was soft, filled with concern.
Silver stared, her breath hitching. "Ruby," she said, her voice breaking. She stood and crossed the room in an instant, pulling her little sister into a tight hug.
Ruby squirmed slightly, confused. "Sister?" she asked, her tone puzzled.
Silver broke the hug, her hands on Ruby's shoulders as she gazed deeply into her sister's eyes. The green eyes they had inherited from their father. The golden hair from their mother. She felt tears welling up. "I'm sorry, Ruby," she said, her voice trembling. "I couldn't protect you."
Ruby frowned. "What happened to me, sister? Why are you apologizing? Did you have a bad dream?"
Silver nodded, forcing a smile. "Yes, I had a terrible dream."
Ruby's frown softened into a smile. "It's alright, sister. It was just a dream. Come on, Mommy's asking for you at breakfast."
Silver's heart skipped a beat. "Go ahead. I'll join you after I shower," she said, her voice shaking slightly. Ruby nodded and left, closing the door behind her.
Silver walked to the bathroom, her mind racing. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, the face of a woman in her mid-twenties staring back. "Was it a dream?" she asked aloud. Images flashed in her mind: two men in black, a leader with a blurred face, a single word spoken: revenge.
"No," she said, her voice firm. "It wasn't a dream. It really happened. We died because someone wanted revenge. But why are we alive again? Did we go back in time before we were killed?" She clenched the edge of the sink, determination hardening her expression. "This means I can now protect my family and find out who killed us."
Her reflection seemed to echo her resolve. "Did he come back too?" she wondered, Charlie's tear-streaked face flashing in her mind. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she whispered, "This time I can accept your confession."