Page 8 of Hidden Echoes

“She likes you,” Charlie observes and Zane rolls his eyes.

“She must be mistaking me for someone else.”

“I would never confuse you, little angel.”

And I look at Charlie and smile back, because I can't help but smile, the girl is mesmerizing.

“Angel?” Zane’s voice comes out more confused than ever. “Why do you keep calling me that?”

Shit, I said that out loud.

Master would punish you with three days in solitary confinement for letting your intrusive thoughts run wild, foolish girl.

I see him, One, he's here trying to talk to me. How did he get here?

To be quite honest, I don't really like the evil version of One.

Shut up, I don't need your comments right now, crybaby.

You know I hate it when you call me that.

So learn your place, ha!

He disappeared.

I really didn't want him to disappear.

I like it when my other half visits me.

Idon’t know what he looks like—my mind doesn’t work that way.

People aren’t people in my head, not really. They’re characters, fragmented versions of who they might be, and One? He’s one of them.

A piece of me that whispers advice, though he often ends up being a pain in the ass.

Reality, for me, is slippery, shaped by the fractured lens through which I see the world. I wouldn’t say I’m insane—just misunderstood. Other people don’tget the way my reality works, and that’s where the problems start.

“Are you listening?” The boy—Zane—repeats himself, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I blink, realizing I’ve been staring at nothing. “No?” I offer with a smile. “Do you work with my Father? Is he coming soon?”

Zane looks confused, but it’s the blonde doctor, Charlie, who speaks, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly. “Your father? Who’syour father, honey?”

The question makes me flinch, my stomach twisting. Father always said never to tell strangers personal things. If they don’t know who he is, that makes them enemies, and I can’t betray Fatherto the enemy.

But despite my wariness, there’s a strange relief bubbling in my chest. I’mnot locked up anymore.

I hate punishment.

And punishment is inevitable when you behead your supposed fiancé.

Uncle James would’ve laughed at the humor, but he’s dead now. Father? He’snot the type to find jokes funny.

“Mia?” My angel’s voice pulls me back, soft and melodic.

I turn to him with another smile. “I’m feeling much better, thank you.”

Pulling the wires off my body, I stand up. Charlie watches me closely, but Zane’s brows furrow deeper, his confusion practically tangible.

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