Amelia's fingers trembled on the doorknob. The whisper still echoed in her ears.
You came back.
Her heart pounded as she slowly pushed the door open.
The room was exactly as she remembered—soft blue walls, the wooden desk by the window, the bed neatly made as if waiting for her return.
But something was wrong.
Samuel stepped in behind her, his breath slow and measured. "Do you see it?"
Amelia's stomach twisted. Yes. She saw it.
A door stood against the far wall.
A door that had never been there before.
She shook her head. "That wasn't there when I lived here."
Samuel's expression darkened. "I was afraid of this."
Amelia turned to him, her voice rising. "Afraid of what? What's behind it?"
Samuel hesitated. Then he said, "You need to remember on your own. If I tell you, it won't work."
She clenched her fists. "Won't work? What are you talking about?"
But Samuel only nodded toward the door. "Go."
Amelia's pulse thundered in her ears as she stepped forward. The closer she got, the heavier the air became—like the room itself was breathing.
Her fingers brushed the doorknob.
Ice shot through her arm.
Memories slammed into her.
Water. Darkness. A hand pressing her down.
She gasped, stumbling back. The door rattled violently, as if something inside had felt her presence.
Samuel grabbed her before she fell. "You're close. Whatever's in there… it's tied to your death."
Amelia swallowed, forcing herself to stand. The fear clawed at her, but she had come too far to turn back now.
She reached for the knob again.
This time, she twisted it.
The door swung open.
Amelia's breath caught in her throat.
Inside was a small, dimly lit room.
And sitting in the center of it—
Was a girl.
A girl with the same hair, the same face.
The girl looked up.
And smiled.
"I've been waiting for you."
To be continued…