chapter 3:fading echoes

Adrian stepped into the night, the cold air biting against his skin. The streets were alive—flashing neon signs, distant car horns, muffled laughter from late-night diners. But it all felt… distant. Like he wasn't really here.

He kept walking. He didn't know where he was going, but his feet did.

His mind was a mess. He wasn't the type to overthink, but something about tonight wasn't sitting right with him.

The girl.

Her eyes.

Something about the way she had looked at him had left a strange feeling in his chest, like a puzzle piece snapping into place—but to a picture he didn't recognize.

Adrian ran a hand through his hair.

He was sure he had seen her before. But where? When?

A headache pulsed at his temples.

Maybe he was just tired.

Maybe—

A flicker in his peripheral vision made him stop.

He turned.

A figure stood under the streetlight ahead—an old man in a faded trench coat, hunched over, watching him.

Adrian frowned. The man wasn't doing anything. Just standing there.

A gust of wind rustled the trees, carrying something faint—a whisper.

"…not yet…"

Adrian stiffened. "What?"

But when he blinked, the man was gone.

He exhaled sharply, rubbing his eyes. What the hell was that?

Shaking it off, he walked faster, his hands in his pockets. His body was tense, his instincts screaming at him that something was wrong, but he had no proof. No reason to feel this way.

Maybe he needed sleep.

Maybe he needed to stop thinking about—

Another whisper.

"…remember…"

Adrian froze.

His breath hitched, his heart slamming against his ribs.

The wind had died. The sounds of the street had faded. The world had gone still.

And then—

A flash.

Gold-tinted skies.

Hands reaching.

A name on his tongue—one he couldn't say.

A girl's voice, calling out to him, desperate.

Then—nothing.

The vision was gone, the city sounds crashing back in around him.

Adrian stumbled, catching himself against a lamppost.

His fingers trembled. His breath came out shaky.

He was losing it.

Or maybe—just maybe—he was starting to remember.

---

Adrian's footsteps echoed through the dimly lit alley, the remnants of the unsettling encounter still clinging to his thoughts. The city's vibrant nightlife seemed muted, distant. He glanced at his watch—the party at Jake's place was already in full swing.

Arriving at the apartment, the thumping bass resonated through the walls. Adrian forced a smile as he navigated through clusters of partygoers. Jake spotted him from across the room, raising a glass in greeting.

"Adrian!" Jake's voice boomed over the music. "Thought you weren't gonna make it."

"Wouldn't miss it," Adrian replied, though his mind was elsewhere.

As the night wore on, Adrian found himself on the balcony, the cool air a stark contrast to the warmth inside. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. The flashes of unfamiliar memories, the sense of being watched—it all gnawed at him.

A soft laugh broke his reverie. Turning, he saw a woman with striking green eyes and a mischievous smile.

"Mind if I join you?" she asked, stepping beside him.

"Not at all," he replied, intrigued. "I'm Adrian."

"Isabella," she said, extending a hand. Their fingers brushed, and for a fleeting moment, Adrian felt a jolt—a spark of recognition.

"Do we... know each other?" he asked, frowning.

"I don't think so," Isabella replied, her eyes narrowing slightly. "But there's something familiar about you."

They talked for hours, sharing stories and laughter. Yet, beneath the surface, both felt an unspoken connection, as if their paths had crossed long before this night.

Meanwhile, Allie lay sprawled on her bed, her phone pressed to her ear. Lexi's animated voice filled the room, recounting her sister's latest escapade.

"...and then she said, 'she's never done that like seriously ,'" Lexi laughed. "Can you believe that?"

"Classic," Allie replied, smiling. " She always says that."

A soft knock interrupted their conversation. Allie glanced up to see her Aunt Jennie peeking through the door.

"Hey, Lexi, I gotta go." Allie said into the phone. "Talk tomorrow?"

"Sure thing. Night!" Lexi chirped before hanging up.

"Everything okay?" Allie asked, sitting up.

"Just wanted to check on you," Jennie said, entering the room. "You seemed a bit distant at dinner."

"Just tired," Allie replied, though she knew it was more than that.

Jennie sat beside her, her eyes filled with concern. "You know, it's okay to miss her."

Allie's throat tightened. "I know."

"She'd be so proud of you," Jennie whispered, wrapping an arm around her niece.

Tears welled up in Allie's eyes. "I just wish she was here."

"We all do, sweetheart," Jennie said softly. "But remember, she's always with you, in here." She placed a hand over Allie's heart.

They sat in silence, the weight of loss hanging between them. Yet, in that shared grief, there was also comfort—a reminder of the enduring bonds of family.

As the night deepened, both Adrian and Allie found themselves staring at the same moonlit sky, miles apart yet inexplicably connected. Unbeknownst to them, their paths were set on a collision course, guided by forces neither could comprehend.

In the shadows, a figure watched, eyes gleaming with anticipation. The time was approaching, and the pieces were falling into place.