A wave of dread washed over Daniel as he realized how truly broken his former life had become. He pushed the heavy wooden door open just a crack, holding his breath.
The interior was shockingly sparse, illuminated only by the weak, flickering glow of a single candle. There was no electricity, no modern comfort, and barely any furniture in sight.
Sitting at a small wooden table was Emily, her back turned to him. She looked frail, her silver-streaked hair tied loosely, wearing a faded coat to ward off the chill.
Suddenly, she turned her head toward the doorway, her hollow eyes locking directly onto his paralyzed form, whispering his name like an echo from a ghost …. 👇
