Page 92 of Whispers in the Dark
Brad pursed his lips. “She knew I was there.”
Tristan nodded. “Which is why you’re here now. No interruptions. No observation glass. Just audio backup—noninvasive.”
Brad glanced over. “You trust me with her?”
Tristan met his eyes. “Brad, I saw how you worked with Izzy. I’m hoping some of the same techniques will get through to Mara.”
That landed. Brad gave a single nod.
Outside Mara’s room, Tristan paused. “She hasn’t had any episodes. Sadly, she’s quite placid,” he said. “But don’t push. If she locks up again…”
“I won’t push,” Brad said. “I’ll lead.”
Tristan half smiled. “Same difference in your world.” He stepped back. “Take your time.”
Brad pushed open the door and stepped into the dimly lit room. Mara Dwyer sat by the window, just like last time, knees tucked under her, her gaze on something no one else could see.
Brad closed the door behind him quietly and crossed the room with that same calm, confident stride.
“Hey, Mara,” he said gently. “It’s me again.” No response, but she didn’t look away. And Brad knew enough to call that a start.
He moved slowly, deliberate as always, the way you approached a wild animal—steady, non-threatening, but fearless and in control. He took the chair across from Mara—not too close, not far.
She didn’t flinch. Didn’t blink. But her eyes tracked him. A slight shift. Barely there. But he saw it.
“We’ve got a little time,” he said gently, resting his hands on his knees. “But you and I both know… if you’re with me on this, that’s all we’ll need.”
Still nothing but the air shifted, just a little. Like the silence had shape. Like awareness was settling in.
“You remember what I said last time?” Brad asked, that familiar edge of gentle dominance creeping into his voice. “That I wasn’t going to pretend? That I wouldn’t talk to the ghost version of you?”
His voice dropped even lower. “I meant it.” He leaned in slightly, never breaking eye contact. “I don’t want the shell, Mara.”
Her breathing changed. Not much, but enough.
“And I get it,” he said. “They took something from you. They broke something inside you. But what they didn’t do was finish it. You’re still here.” He let that hang in the air. “I know about Elias,” Brad continued. “I don’t know what he meant to you. I don’t know what he became. But I know you know him.”
Mara blinked. Slowly, a tear slipped down her cheek, silent, unacknowledged.
Brad didn’t move. “I’m here to help you.” He paused. “I won’t hurt you.”
Her fingers twitched. Just once.
Brad leaned forward again. “If you’re ready, tell me something. One word. One look. One breath that’s yours. Because if you don’t, more people are going to die. And I know you. That’s the last thing you want.”
Silence. Heavy. Long. Then, finally—she shifted. Just her eyes, but they locked on his.
Brad sat perfectly still. Watching. Waiting.
Then she whispered, hoarse and cracked: “Elias… saved… me.”
Brad didn’t smile. Didn’t speak. He just reached forward slowly and took her hand. And this time—she squeezed.
Noah stared at his phone,thumb hovering over Alex’s name again. The logs in his fireplace burned. Ruth, his fiancée, sat curled up by his side.
One ring. Two. Then nothing. Just silence. No voicemail. No automated message. Like the number never existed.
He tried again. Harder this time, like force might change the outcome. Still nothing. There was no way.
