Page 108 of The Sins of Silas

I shuddered, my body’s response causing her smile to grow. As much as I desired to shove her away…I couldn’t. I couldn't because she looked like her…sounded like her, and I hungered for her touch more than I’d like to admit.

“It’s true, is it not?” she asked with a yearning gleam in her sea-green eyes, her brows scrunching together. “Don’t you love me?”

My expression turned pained, my voice above a whisper. “Stop…please,” I begged.

Lena’s eyes softened, and she withdrew her hand. “Is it guilt you feel? Shame for loving me when you’re committed to another?” She angled her head downward and stepped back.

My eyes bulged, and I cried out as I witnessed her skin begin to burn and bubble, that sickening stench of burning flesh filling the air. Her whole body was bright red now, her expression a heartbreaking sight. A look of acceptance of her fate, acceptance of a betrayal.

“Lena—” I rushed toward her, but she retreated from me, tears now flowing down her cheeks.

“You gave up on me!” she cried. “You left me!”

I shook my head. “No…no, I-I had no idea you were alive!” I went to reach for her again, but she retreated.

“Look.” She raised a trembling hand, and I began to hyperventilate at the sight of her skin melting off.

The smell. I knew that smell. The scent permeated the air when I lit Amatta on fire.

I can’t. I can’t.

Lena.

Lena was on fire.

I was gasping for air in full-fledged panic. “Let me help you!” I begged, but as I ran to her, she lifted her hand, a protective forcefield shoving me back. My back slammed against the ground, and I winced at the pain.

“It’s too late,” she articulated, her voice small. “You’ve moved on…and I…I am still stuck in that house.”

“No.” Sweat was beading at my hairline, my brain aching from shaking it back and forth so vigorously. “You didn’t die in that house…you—”

“It’s all been a dream, Silas,” she wept, and I watched in despair as her beautiful hair started to burn off. “You finding me…none of it was real! I’m DEAD!”

My face crumpled. “No…no, no, no…” I was spiraling. “Please—please, let me help you!”

“I’m right here, Silas. You’re hallucinating. I am right here. I am safe.”

I blinked rapidly. “Lena…” I breathed.

That voice…it was her. The real her.

This isn’t real. I can’t forget.

“What did you have done to my body?” the vision before me asked. “To my mother’s?”

I couldn't bear to look at her. Soot covered her red, blistered skin. Her hair was gone. The clothes that remained were tattered. Only those green eyes remained the same.

“I had them buried in the garden,” I whispered. “Where your house once stood.”

Her bones started to become visible as her skin melted away. The scent…the sight…I couldn’t help it; I leaned over and vomitedprofusely.

“It’s okay…let it out…I’m here. You’re safe. It’s not real.”

It felt like a hand was caressing my back. I heaved again and again. When I was through, I hesitantly brought my eyes up to her charred corpse, now standing before me. Her eyes, the only part that had remained intact, now liquified, spilling from their sockets.

My entire body shook. “No…no…” I breathed, my voice hoarse and broken.

“It’s not real, Silas.”

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