"Hello? Is anyone there?"145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHlCICIwvQ
Why did I agree to come to this stupid cabin? I knew the storm warnings were serious.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZSvbAipxl
"Sarah? Come on, this isn't funny!"
Maybe the power's just out. That has to be it. The wind was picking up before I got here.
"If you're trying to scare me, mission accomplished!"145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjWxLH2UL0
Keep it together, Michael. You're a grown man. It's just an old family cabin in the woods... with no cell service... during what might be the storm of the century.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJQLNGW8nt
"Oh! You scared me half to death!"145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x3hoWz7OS
"Sorry about that. I was in the cellar checking the circuit breakers. No luck though. Power lines must be down somewhere."145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNORMLc4aQ
She looks different somehow. Something about her eyes...145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86VPFR32lc
"Well, at least we have the fireplace. I brought some logs in before the rain started. How long have you been here, Sarah?"
"Just since this morning. I wanted to set everything up before you arrived. We haven't spent time together like this in years."
Not since before the accident. I still don't know how to talk to her about it.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6t0RL1WRN
"Did you bring the food supplies like we planned?"
"Everything's in the kitchen. But I think we should start that fire first. It's getting cold in here."
Why isn't she mentioning what happened last time? Maybe she doesn't remember. The doctors said there might be memory issues.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKZagxW3bi
"The flames look beautiful, don't they? Like they're dancing."145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2SSiIKVSC
"Yeah. Remember when Dad used to tell us ghost stories by the fire?"
"How could I forget? I didn't sleep for a week after the one about the lumberjack."
She remembers that? I thought... no, don't bring it up. This is nice. Normal.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTL4mxN3Gn
"Michael, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like you're seeing a ghost."
If only she knew how accurate that was.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLQdJAfLft
"Sorry, it's just... it's been a while."
"I know. After everything that happened... I wasn't sure you'd want to see me again."
So she does remember. But how much?145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwDIyguFh4
"Listen to that rain. It's really coming down now."145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t51WeipAY
"The weather report said it could last for days. Are we going to be okay here?"
"We should be. There's plenty of food, we have water, and the fireplace will keep us warm."
Unless the river floods. Like last time.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXtuWJ4tGR
"Sarah... can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"What's the last thing you remember... from before?"
Please don't be upset. I just need to know.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG8KGKODWz
"You mean from before the accident?"
She said it. She actually said it.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOdCt9WtP2
"Yes."
"I remember everything, Michael. I remember the argument we had. I remember storming out into the storm. I remember the bridge collapsing."
But that's impossible. She couldn't have survived that.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1S3ZbY9cT
"Then how are you... how are we having this conversation?"
"What do you mean? I'm right here."145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDCrmne5ll
Is she really not aware?145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVlUkhpAlb
"Sarah, they never found your body. The current was too strong. We searched for weeks."
"That's ridiculous. I'm sitting right across from you!"
Her expression... it's changing. Can she see the truth in my face?145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC9Fv8Kmpf
"Then why did you ask me to meet you here? After three years of nothing?"
"I didn't ask you anything. I got your message. You said you had something important to tell me."
This isn't happening. This can't be real.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxjyllpf95
"No, that's not... I got a text from your number. It said to come to the cabin. That you'd be waiting."
"Michael, my phone was lost in the river. With me."
Oh god.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq33WCP5IV
"Did you hear that?"145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40yNA3ql08
"Hear what?"
"It sounded like footsteps. On the porch."
Please be the wind. Please be the wind.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTOql6gNQg
"I don't hear anything. Michael, you're scaring me."
She's scared? How does that work if she's...145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgD9P8x3oL
"Wait, there it is again!"
"I still don't hear anything. Maybe you're just on edge because of our conversation."
Or maybe whatever sent that message is here now.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsjfaAbfj3
"Stay here. I'm going to check."
"No! Don't leave me alone!"
If she's really a... then what is she afraid of?145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1Q9SFqkrQ
"There's nothing out there. Just the storm."145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcsrTlmJgI
"Are you sure? You seemed convinced."
"I guess my mind is playing tricks on me."
Or something else is.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuudwHvUuD
"Michael, there's something I need to tell you. About that night."
Finally, the truth.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ceVWzByTP
"What about it?"
"It wasn't an accident. I went to that bridge on purpose."
No, no, no. Please don't say it.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWLKtqXwhA
"What are you saying, Sarah?"
"I wanted it to end. Everything was too much. The pain, the memories... I just wanted peace."
I can't breathe. This is my fault. I should have seen the signs.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydzhSDp82d
"But then, in the water, fighting to breathe... I changed my mind. I wanted to live, Michael. I fought so hard."
Then how are you here? How are we talking?145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7tnmPGyu6
"I need some air."145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKmTDTKDKC
"Michael, it's pouring outside. You can't go out there."
"I just... I need a minute. To process this."
None of this makes sense. Either I'm losing my mind, or...145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqivXJiP7t
"The storm is getting worse. Look how the fire flickers. We shouldn't separate."
Was that a flash of... something else... in her eyes?145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTKkoN3FXg
"Sarah, if you survived, why didn't you come back? Where have you been for three years?"
"I... I can't explain that part. Not yet."
What does that even mean?145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzib114EvSN
"Do you remember what you said to me? Right before I left that night?"145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBF9loChQW
I've replayed those words every day since.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCs4sR2CP1B
"I said I wished I'd never had a sister. That my life would be better without you in it."
"And now you've gotten exactly what you wanted."
Her voice sounds different now. Colder.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCmCxKMd8r
"I didn't mean it. I've regretted those words every day since you... since you disappeared."
"Regret doesn't change what happened, Michael. Regret doesn't bring people back."
But then what is sitting across from me?145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkwK8rtMuz
"What's happening to the fire? It's turning... blue?"145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPHUrgslBn
"It's time, Michael."
"Time for what?"
She's not moving. Why isn't she blinking?145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF5t3wURl2
"Time for you to make a choice."
The room feels like it's spinning. The walls seems to be... breathing?145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI0mAdZuKy
"I don't understand what's happening."
"Three years ago, I made a choice at that bridge. Now it's your turn."
This can't be real. This has to be a nightmare.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTpUMotVS7
"Sarah, you're scaring me."
"Good. Fear means you're finally paying attention."
"What choice? What are you talking about?"145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ml7N9Bndj
Her eyes... they're completely black now.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dpjIk7b5U
"You can join me, or you can let me go. For real this time."
"Join you where? You're not making sense!"
"You know where I am, Michael. You've always known."
No. No, I refuse to believe that.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXdtHmZepi
"You're not dead. You can't be dead. You're sitting right here!"
"Am I? Look closer."
I can't. I'm too afraid of what I'll see.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H9ENMtTRv
"The storm is inside now, isn't it? Not just outside."145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLCq64JKXb
"It's been inside you for three years. Guilt, regret, anger... your own personal tempest."
The fire is spreading along the walls, but nothing's burning. How is this possible?145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJpQad2sRu
"What happens if I choose to let you go?"
"Then you live, Michael. You finally live."
"And if I choose to join you?"
"Then the storm takes us both. Together. Like it should have that night."
She holds out her hand. It looks solid, real. But there's water dripping from her fingertips.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCRafvaM5u
"I don't want to die."145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkWgnvLCW1
But I don't want to live without her either.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4XawN0eEo
"Then live for me, little brother. Live the life I never got to have."
"How? How do I just move on after everything?"
"By forgiving yourself. I already have."
The tears feel hot against my cold cheeks.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSZkmRE0qq
"I'm so sorry, Sarah. For everything."
"I know. That's why I came back. To say goodbye properly."
Her form is shifting now, becoming transparent around the edges.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV1rwKX4J4
"Will I ever see you again?"145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg9b6uh8b2
"Not like this. But I'll be around."
The fire is returning to normal. The walls have stopped breathing.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtXYRU2cON
"I love you, Sarah."
"I love you too. Now, make your choice."
I know what I have to do. For both of us.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHMzC0YO6v
"I choose to live."
Her smile is the last thing I see before the room goes dark.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZhH746GzV
"Hello? Is anyone there?"145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaalspESyB
The cabin is empty. Sunlight streams through the windows.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9381xgTMg7
"Just checking in, Mr. Harris. Wanted to make sure you were okay after spending the night. That was some storm, wasn't it?"
"I'm... I'm fine. Better than I've been in a long time, actually."
And I am. For the first time in three years, the weight is gone.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoN3tqxjMX
"Well, good. You had me worried when you said you needed to stay in your sister's old cabin. Especially with the anniversary coming up and all."
"It was something I needed to do. To say goodbye."
The caretaker nods, not fully understanding. How could he?145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK3msAw45j
"If you're ready, I can drive you back to town now."
"Yes, I think I'm finally ready."
As we walk out, I swear I feel her presence, just for a moment. And it feels like peace.145Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgMzEGGZkJ
