Chapter 8: The Name in the Shadows

The next morning, Elena woke to the sound of rain tapping against the windows. She had spent the night dreaming of Mara—dreams filled with fog and whispers, of her sister standing at the edge of the cliffs, her arms outstretched as if waiting for something. Or someone.

Elena shook off the remnants of the dream and dressed quickly, her mind focused on the name she had found in the sketchbook: *Eleanor Grayson*. She didn't know who Eleanor was, but if Mara had written her name, it had to mean something.

Daniel arrived just as she was finishing breakfast, his coat damp from the rain. "Any luck with the sketchbook?" he asked, stepping inside.

Elena handed him the book, open to the last page. "I found a name," she said. "Eleanor Grayson. Do you know who she is?"

Daniel's expression darkened as he studied the page. "Eleanor Grayson," he repeated slowly. "She was an old woman who lived on the outskirts of town. Died about ten years ago."

Elena's heart sank. "So she's gone?"

"Maybe," Daniel said. "But if Mara wrote her name, there's a reason. Eleanor knew things—things about the town's history. She might have left something behind."

Elena grabbed her coat. "Then we need to find her house."

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