The Whisper of Shadows

The morning sun bathed the city in a soft glow. Miria walked through the bustling streets, a shopping bag in hand. She cherished these moments of tranquility, when she could observe passersby and feel the pulse of daily life.

She had finished her errands and was about to head home, her mind still wandering over the list of tasks she needed to complete for the day.

Then, suddenly, a wave of dizziness.

A strange sensation pierced her skull, forcing her to stop in her tracks.

And then… voices.

At first, indistinct, like a distant murmur. Then clearer, more numerous.

— Why is she stopping like that?

— I hope my boss won't ask me to stay late tonight…

— I need to remember to call Mom…

The words tangled in her head, overlapping like an incomprehensible cacophony. Miria raised a trembling hand to her forehead.

What was happening to her?

Her breathing quickened. The voices persisted, growing louder and louder, reverberating in her skull like a deafening buzz.

— This isn't possible… she whispered.

She closed her eyes, shook her head as if to drive them away. But they were still there.

No… this wasn't real. It couldn't be real.

Her heart pounded wildly. Panic seized her.

She started to run.

To flee.

Anywhere, as long as she could escape this nightmare. The streets blurred around her, passersby glanced at her in surprise.

But she no longer saw them.

All she wanted was to silence those voices.

And then…

A scream.

A shrill honk.

She turned her head, but too late.

A car was speeding straight toward her.

For a brief moment, everything seemed to slow down.