"Hello? Is anyone there?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MfqngX0mV
Why did I agree to come to this stupid cabin? I knew the storm warnings were serious.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAHMRt5aix
"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!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUYrlfU0yW
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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxhKhsuu0T
"Oh! You scared me half to death!"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FOaVzykmL
"Sorry about that. I was in the cellar checking the circuit breakers. No luck though. Power lines must be down somewhere."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLeV9JBMwJ
She looks different somehow. Something about her eyes...147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji7KZA1F5p
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNcRjxyaYc
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpIjojQ965
"The flames look beautiful, don't they? Like they're dancing."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWtARnJLrW
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8rhEV2oF4
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzG0EZip2Y
"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?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHphQ1eHIS
"Listen to that rain. It's really coming down now."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1usuiWmF9
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSomSfmr5n
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1wlyM07Gi
"You mean from before the accident?"
She said it. She actually said it.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNUMzFF4D6
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA4dPKaFac
"Then how are you... how are we having this conversation?"
"What do you mean? I'm right here."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryV2o2oDfM
Is she really not aware?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQbiOV0AUc
"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?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTQAGhPCfl
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XT8sYVmuE
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJcFCXhUYO
"Did you hear that?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc6xQQgeXY
"Hear what?"
"It sounded like footsteps. On the porch."
Please be the wind. Please be the wind.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4r7F84Hj2
"I don't hear anything. Michael, you're scaring me."
She's scared? How does that work if she's...147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6x7YUHtFO
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXUtNBGft8
"Stay here. I'm going to check."
"No! Don't leave me alone!"
If she's really a... then what is she afraid of?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC4WMUKW1X
"There's nothing out there. Just the storm."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOqQAuirh9
"Are you sure? You seemed convinced."
"I guess my mind is playing tricks on me."
Or something else is.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8YxePNXfE
"Michael, there's something I need to tell you. About that night."
Finally, the truth.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40xPPOQRSg
"What about it?"
"It wasn't an accident. I went to that bridge on purpose."
No, no, no. Please don't say it.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTT5PwDtaA
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynFnjIx4RW
"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?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iRIGBA6Xn
"I need some air."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSyaghzEnt
"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...147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xtpB4l7Ra
"The storm is getting worse. Look how the fire flickers. We shouldn't separate."
Was that a flash of... something else... in her eyes?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBWz8LjIjW
"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?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8K6GpHEQN
"Do you remember what you said to me? Right before I left that night?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwR2WwrSK5
I've replayed those words every day since.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63CGFPxwrd
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUxwSIXkIL
"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?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyiP5Oqpqn
"What's happening to the fire? It's turning... blue?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx7svcJ0D9
"It's time, Michael."
"Time for what?"
She's not moving. Why isn't she blinking?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zHII3Dm3q
"Time for you to make a choice."
The room feels like it's spinning. The walls seems to be... breathing?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kH5pTtdAM
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXQfaMnQBZ
"Sarah, you're scaring me."
"Good. Fear means you're finally paying attention."
"What choice? What are you talking about?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ09iVCwQbm
Her eyes... they're completely black now.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUp7ptcbZw
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldHI0fZPer
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6QkyjJIFo
"The storm is inside now, isn't it? Not just outside."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNGIlahF2h
"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?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDrTTG1Gto
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl1SIL7suJ
"I don't want to die."147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwCBu1suM2
But I don't want to live without her either.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8zQlDCOhh
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmPtauPOS1
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99OEUHx5Ld
"Will I ever see you again?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC47rktYMxj
"Not like this. But I'll be around."
The fire is returning to normal. The walls have stopped breathing.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKwvpyt4f4
"I love you, Sarah."
"I love you too. Now, make your choice."
I know what I have to do. For both of us.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYvhz5jCTY
"I choose to live."
Her smile is the last thing I see before the room goes dark.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡih4zhul7C3
"Hello? Is anyone there?"147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTn8eeqqqO
The cabin is empty. Sunlight streams through the windows.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXong6Ng0G
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbErjXMnPnz
"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?147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBPSIY2Huo
"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.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5npRHpAMo
