~Nicole~I heard my name, like a whisper, almost too close.I shook my head slowly, like I could physically throw the feeling away. There’s nothing wrong with me, It’s just the wind, just the cold.I glanced around, my shoulders tightening as the chill brushed past my neck again. A second ago the place had been loud, laughter, splashing, voices crashing into each other, but now it felt far away, like someone had turned the volume down on the world. My ears rang in the quiet.Then I heard it again.My name.“Ni…cole…” This time, hoarse, thin and dragging through the air like it had traveled a long distance just to reach me.My breath caught, so I didn’t imagine it the first time?I stared straight ahead, refusing to answer, refusing to turn. If I ignored it, maybe it would disappear.I blinked hard and forced my focus onto the cup in front of me. The red rim, the water line.I picked up the ball, but my fingers felt stiff, like they didn’t belong to me.Then something closed aroun
Last Updated : 2026-02-15 Read more