Day 44: Kron’s Journal

The wood smelled like wet earth and old things. I was cutting a branch for the fire when I heard it—a soft rustle in the leaves, like someone breathing just beyond the trees. I turned and saw Vanya sitting there, her eyes fixed on the ground. She didn’t say anything, but her hands were shaking. I asked her what was wrong, and she just nodded toward the edge of the clearing where the fire was starting to flicker. I followed her, and there, in the dim light, was a shadow that wasn’t there before. It wasn’t a shadow at all—it was a person, but they were made of light and smoke. Vanya said it was her brother, but he wasn’t real. He was just a memory. I tried to tell her that, but she just whispered, ‘He’s coming.’ Then she turned and walked away, her feet moving too fast for the ground. I stood there, wondering if I should follow her. The fire began to grow, and I realized I’d been holding my breath for too long. Maybe it was just the wind. Maybe it wasn’t. I closed my eyes and tried to remember the last thing I saw before the fire went out.