Echoes

Rose—”

Jason’s voice wasn’t controlled anymore.

It wasn’t sharp. It wasn’t cold.

It was raw.

“Rose, wake up.”

She didn’t respond.

Her body felt too still in his arms.

Too light.

Jason tightened his grip slightly, one hand supporting her back, the other brushing lightly against her cheek.

“Hey… don’t do this,” he muttered.

For a moment—just a moment—

Fear slipped through.

Real fear.

“Daniel, what did you do?” he snapped.

“I didn’t—” Daniel stopped, eyes fixed on the screen. “This wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“That’s not an answer,” Jason said sharply.

Ethan pushed off the wall, stepping closer now, his expression more serious than before.

“She’s reacting faster than expected,” he said.

Jason shot him a look. “Stay out of it.”

But his focus snapped back immediately.

Back to her.

“Rose,” he said again, softer now.

His thumb brushed her cheek.

Warm.

Careful.

“Come on…”

A faint breath.

Then—

A small movement.

Jason froze.

Her fingers twitched.

Then again.

“Rose?”

Her brows pulled together slightly, like she was fighting through something heavy.

And then—

Her eyes opened.

Slowly.

Unfocused at first.

Then—

They landed on him.

Jason didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

For a second—

Neither of them did.

Something passed between them.

Unspoken.

Unclear.

But strong.

“Jason…”

Her voice was barely there.

But she said his name like she knew it.

Like she felt it.

His chest tightened.

“I’m here,” he said quietly.

Rose blinked slowly.

Her gaze didn’t leave his face.

Like she was seeing him for the first time.

Or remembering him.

Her hand lifted—

Weak.

Unsteady.

Jason caught it instinctively.

But she didn’t pull away.

Instead—

Her fingers shifted slightly…

And touched his face.

Soft.

Careful.

Like she was confirming something.

Jason went still.

Completely still.

“Rose…” he said, lower this time.

Her eyes searched his.

There was confusion there.

Pain.

But something else too.

Something deeper.

“I know this,” she whispered.

His breath caught.

“What do you mean?”

Her fingers traced lightly along his jaw.

Slow.

Unconscious.

“This…” she said softly.

A pause.

“Feels familiar.”

The words hit harder than they should have.

Jason didn’t move.

Didn’t break the moment.

“From what?” he asked.

Rose shook her head slightly.

“I don’t know.”

Her hand dropped slightly—

But he caught it again.

Held it.

Like he wasn’t ready to lose that contact.

A flicker crossed her expression.

Then—

A flash.

Her breath hitched.

Jason saw it immediately.

“Rose?”

Her grip tightened suddenly.

And this time—

She pulled him closer.

Not forcefully.

Just enough.

And before either of them could think—

She leaned into him.

Her forehead brushing lightly against his.

Jason froze.

The contact was brief.

But it was enough.

Another flash—

His voice.

Closer.

Softer.

“You’re shaking.”

Her own voice—

“I’m fine.”

“You’re lying.”

A memory.

Clearer this time.

Rose gasped softly.

Her eyes opened—

Still close to his.

“You said that before,” she whispered.

Jason’s breath stilled.

“When?” he asked.

“I don’t know…” she said.

“But I remember how it felt.”

That did something to him.

Something he couldn’t hide this time.

His hand tightened around hers.

“You were scared,” he said quietly.

Rose blinked.

“Yes…”

Her voice softened.

“But not because of you.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Close.

Too close.

Jason’s gaze dropped—just for a second—

To her lips.

Then back to her eyes.

And this time—

Neither of them moved.

The air shifted.

The tension wasn’t just emotional anymore.

It was something else.

Something deeper.

Pulling.

Rose’s breath slowed.

Her grip on him didn’t loosen.

“Why do I trust you?” she asked softly.

Jason didn’t answer immediately.

Because the truth—

Was complicated.

But the moment—

Wasn’t.

Before he could respond—

“Enough.”

Daniel’s voice cut in sharply.

The moment broke instantly.

Rose pulled back slightly.

Jason’s jaw tightened.

“What now?” he asked, irritation clear.

Daniel stepped closer, his eyes fixed on Rose.

“That wasn’t a normal reaction,” he said.

Rose frowned slightly.

“What does that mean?”

Daniel didn’t hesitate.

“It means your memory is coming back faster than expected.”

Ethan stepped in.

“That’s not good,” he said.

Jason’s eyes snapped to him. “Why?”

Ethan hesitated.

“Because if it’s unstable…”

A pause.

“It could break her.”

Jason turned back instantly.

“That’s not happening.”

Rose pulled her hand from his.

“I’m fine,” she said.

But her voice wasn’t as steady now.

Daniel observed her closely.

“No,” he said.

“You’re not.”

Rose’s patience snapped.

“Stop talking about me like I’m not here.”

Daniel didn’t react.

“You triggered something deeper than we expected,” he continued.

Rose’s chest tightened.

“Then we keep going,” she said.

Jason shook his head immediately.

“No.”

Rose turned to him.

“Don’t start that again.”

“I mean it this time,” he said.

His voice was different now.

Not controlling.

Firm.

“You’re not doing another session.”

Rose stepped closer to him.

“Try and stop me.”

The challenge was clear.

Jason didn’t step back.

Didn’t look away.

“Don’t test me,” he said quietly.

Rose held his gaze.

“Then don’t push me.”

Silence stretched.

The tension between them sharper than before.

But also—

Stronger.

Different.

Daniel watched them both.

Then—

Spoke.

“We don’t need another session.”

Both of them turned.

“What?” Jason asked.

Daniel’s eyes were on Rose.

“She’s already triggered the next layer.”

Rose frowned.

“What does that mean?”

Daniel didn’t look away.

“It means…”

A pause.

“Your memories won’t wait anymore.”

The room went still.

Rose’s breath caught.

“Meaning what?”

Daniel’s voice was calm.

“Meaning they’ll come back on their own.”

Jason’s expression darkened.

“That’s not controlled.”

“No,” Daniel said.

“It’s not.”

Rose felt a chill run down her spine.

Because something deep inside her—

Something buried—

Was already starting to move.

And this time—

She couldn’t stop it.