The Devil in White

Some ghosts wear white. Not because they're innocent because they want you to forget the blood.

Ava stepped out into the night.

The rain had stopped, but the street was soaked like the city itself had cried.

Across the road, under the flickering streetlight, stood Celeste.

She looked exactly the same as she had in Ava's dreams.

Same icy grace. Same deadly beauty.

Time hadn't touched her. It had protected her.

"Isabella," she purred.

Ava flinched at the name. "That's not who I am anymore."

Celeste tilted her head. "You wear the same soul. That's enough."

Ava took a shaky step forward. "Why did you kill me?"

Celeste smiled softly. Sadly.

"You don't remember it all yet."

"I remember enough."

"Do you?" Celeste asked, her voice almost kind. "Then tell me… do you remember what you did to Liam?"

Ava froze.

"What are you talking about?"

Celeste walked closer, heels silent against wet pavement.

"You think you were the innocent one. That I stole your love, took your life, betrayed you."

Her eyes glittered. "But sweetheart… you begged me to kill you."

"No," Ava whispered. "You're lying."

"You were consumed by guilt. Over what happened that night. What you did. What Liam never found out."

Celeste leaned in, close enough for Ava to smell roses and ruin.

"You chose death. I just… granted your wish."

Ava staggered back, heart pounding.

From behind her, Maya appeared on the steps.

"She's manipulating you," Maya snapped. "Don't listen "

But Celeste's voice cut through her.

"You can hide behind Maya all you want. But the truth always finds its way back. Just like you did."

She turned and began walking away white heels vanishing into the night.

Ava's knees buckled. Liam caught her just before she fell.

"I don't understand," Ava gasped. "What could I have done to him?"

Liam's jaw clenched. "We'll find out. Together."

Hours Later — Maya's Safehouse

Maya brewed something herbal and strange. Ava sat in front of a fire that hadn't warmed her.

"Can you show me more?" Ava asked.

"Not without risk," Maya said. "The next memory… it could damage you."

"I don't care. I need to know."

Maya hesitated.

Then placed two fingers to Ava's temple.

The room dissolved into darkness.

Flashback Fragment.

Isabella stood alone in a chamber drenched in moonlight.

She held something in her hand.

A vial.

A note.

And a bloodstained contract.

Liam lay unconscious in the corner.

Isabella whispered through tears:

"I'm sorry, love. This is the only way to protect you from me."

She drank the vial.

Then the door burst open.

Celeste entered.

Too late.

"No Isabella, what did you do?!"

Isabella collapsed.

Whispers turned to silence.

Present.

Ava gasped back into consciousness, sweat slick on her skin.

She looked at Liam.

Looked at Maya.

And whispered:

"I tried to kill myself… to save you."