"Asher…"
He turned quickly, but nothing was there. Only darkness.
"Why did you leave me?"
Index's voice echoed again, louder this time.
His barriers stayed up, but his thoughts began slipping. Old memories surfaced—her smile, her laugh, the way she used to hold onto his arm.
Then came the memory he tried to forget: leaving her in the void.
He clenched his jaw. "You're not real."
The air around him felt heavy, pressing from every side. The walls moved like they were breathing.
But her voice didn't stop.
"You promised, Asher… You said you'd come back for me."
His flight slowed. Moving felt harder, like swimming through thick water.
Then something formed ahead. At first, it looked like fog. Then it changed—turning into her.
Index.
She floated, arms outstretched, eyes full of tears.
Her dress was torn. Her face pale. Hair stuck to her cheeks. The tears on her face glowed faintly green.
