Silent Witnesses

"Mommy?" a little girl called out.

Her mother turned with a soft smile and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her daughter's ear.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

The child smiled back. Their lives were simple, full of joy, love, and peace—a complete family, untouched by darkness.

But that peace was shattered when someone began to chase them.

"Mommy!" the child cried out, frightened.

Her mother swiftly picked her up without saying a word, while her father hurried beside them. The fear etched on her parents' faces was enough to silence the child's confusion. She trusted them and said nothing.

They reached an abandoned warehouse and hid her there, hoping she wouldn't be found. She stayed quiet—until a stranger discovered her.

Through a small crack, she saw her parents being tortured. She wanted to scream, to call out to them—but an elderly man pulled her away.

"We'll come back for your mommy," a younger man whispered gently, smoothing her hair.

She was taken to a small clinic, given something to drink, and everything turned dark. When she woke up, she was lying alone on the grass. Her memories were gone—except for her name. She didn't know who she was, or who she was meant to be.

She cried—not from pain, but from a sadness she couldn't explain.

Sharlene jolted awake.

She swallowed hard. That dream again. It had haunted her for days now. She had tried to ignore it, but each time, it left her with a heavier heart.

She exhaled slowly, calming herself, and turned to Ashley, who lay asleep nearby in the hospital bed. Sharlene walked over, gently brushing her daughter's forehead and cheeks.

"Wake up, my child," she whispered lovingly.

She missed her daughter's laughter, her hugs—the life they once shared. Even without a husband, that life had meant everything.

Suddenly, the image of the child in her dream flashed again—the one wearing that bracelet.

Bracelet?

Sharlene furrowed her brow. Where have I seen that before?

The child's name came back to her.

Ellena?

A sharp pain hit her temple. She winced and shook her head.

I shouldn't dwell on this. I already have enough to worry about.

She closed her eyes to center herself.

Then everything went black.

She was pulled into darkness.

"Child… child…" A woman's voice echoed, broken and desperate.

Where are you now, my child?

Sharlene followed the voice. It tugged at her soul like a memory she never had.

"So you're here, Sharlene."

A whisper in her ear made her turn abruptly. It was Leah.

"What are you doing here?" Leah asked, a knowing smirk on her face.

"I... I don't know," Sharlene replied quietly.

Leah raised an eyebrow, her tone almost mocking. "Are you here to find out who you really are?"

Sharlene frowned, confused.

Leah laughed softly. "Before you uncover my past, Sharlene, you should first understand yours."

With that, Leah vanished.

Sharlene gasped and opened her eyes—back in the hospital.

A nurse approached.

"Vivianne… you're here," Sharlene murmured.

Vivianne simply nodded and stared at her, silent at first.

"You're heading to San Mateo, right?" she asked.

Sharlene nodded, still dazed.

"Find what's been troubling you," Vivianne said softly. "Maybe it's tied to who you really are… and to your connection with Leah and Grandma."

Sharlene's eyes widened.

"W-What do you mean, Vivianne?"

Vivianne bit her lip. "Hold my hand."

Though confused, Sharlene obeyed.

Suddenly, a new vision unfolded.

"W... Where are we?" she whispered.

They stood in an abandoned place. Voices surrounded them. A coffin lay nearby. Sharlene's hands trembled.

They were in Leah's past.

She saw a young girl hiding behind a post, watching in terror.

"Vivianne?" she asked.

Vivianne nodded. "I saw this when I was ten."

"Did Grandma know?"

"She did," Vivianne replied. "She was helping Leah at the time and asked me to witness what happened. But I was just a child… I couldn't tell anyone Leah was buried alive."

Sharlene felt her chest tighten.

"What happened after that?" she asked.

Vivianne recalled seeing the faces of Manuel, Angely, and their men—how they left Leah to be buried alive. She saw her soul crying, begging not to be forgotten.

They returned to the hospital.

"We need to tell Lawrence," Sharlene said, shaken.

Vivianne nodded solemnly. "But that place… it belongs to the Atienza family. It won't be easy."

"Wait... Sheila's sister?" Sharlene asked, stunned.

Vivianne nodded again, sitting down with a troubled expression.

Sharlene picked up her phone.

There's only one person who can help me now. She would have to gather all her courage.