Chapter 1 LEAH

Head throbbing, I slowly try to focus my vision, my eyes fixating on the beige floral wallpaper.

Where am I? How did I get here?

One name pops into my head: Avery Williams. Is that important?

The name lingers like a whisper in the back of my mind, but the memories are hazy. I take a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind of confusion. The room is dimly lit, and the air smells faintly of lavender. I push myself up, feeling the weight of something heavy in my chest.

Suddenly, the door creaks open, and a figure steps inside. It's a man, his features obscured by the shadows. "You're awake," he says, his voice soft yet urgent.

"Avery?" I croak, my throat dry and scratchy.

He steps closer, his face coming into view. It's not Avery; it's someone else entirely. His eyes are a striking green, filled with concern. "No, I'm not Avery. My name is Kenji. You've been unconscious for days."

Days? Panic rises within me. "What happened? Why can't I remember?"

Kenji hesitates, glancing back at the door as if expecting someone to follow. "You were in an accident. A car crash. Avery... she was with you."

The name hits me like a jolt. "Avery! Is she okay? Where is she?"

Kenji's expression shifts, a shadow crossing his face. "I'm sorry. She didn't make it."

A wave of grief crashes over me, and I feel like I'm drowning in sorrow. "No... it can't be true."

"You need to rest," Kenji insists, reaching out to touch my arm. "We need to talk about what happened, but not now. You need to heal first."

I shake my head, the pain intensifying. "I can't just forget her. I need to know what happened."

Kenji looks torn, but then he nods slowly. "Okay. But you have to promise me you won't push yourself too hard. There are things you need to understand about the accident, and about Avery."

As he speaks, fragments of memories begin to surface-laughter, a road trip, a sudden impact. I clutch the sheets, feeling the weight of my loss. "Tell me," I urge, desperation creeping into my voice.

Kenji takes a deep breath, his gaze steady. "Avery was special. She had a gift, a connection to something beyond our understanding. And it's possible... she might not be gone for good."

My heart races at his words. "What do you mean?"

Kenji leans closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "There are ways to reach beyond the veil, to communicate with those we've lost. But it comes with risks."

The room feels charged with energy, and I can't help but feel a flicker of hope amidst the despair. "I want to try. I need to try."