Liora didn't sleep well.
The fire didn't return.
But the voice did.
"I won't lose you."
It lingered at the edge of her thoughts, threading through everything else until it became impossible to ignore. It wasn't loud. It wasn't overwhelming.
It was certain.
Liora sat at the edge of her bed, staring at her hands. "…Who are you?"
The question slipped out before she could stop it.
Because she already knew the answer wasn't simple.
It wasn't just a dream.
It wasn't just a memory.
It was something else.
Something that didn't belong to her—
But felt like it should.
She exhaled slowly and stood. "…You're overthinking."
That had become her default answer for everything lately.
Strange memory? Overthinking.
Weird coincidence? Overthinking.
The same man appearing at the exact right moment two days in a row?
"…Definitely overthinking."
---
The world was calm again.
Predictable.
Safe.
Liora walked the same route she always did. Same streets. Same turns. Same rhythm.
And yet—
Her eyes moved more than usual.
Watching.
Waiting.
For something to go wrong.
It didn't.
Of course it didn't.
She reached the crosswalk.
The light turned green.
Her body tensed automatically.
"…Again."
She didn't move.
Not right away.
Not until she checked both sides.
Then checked again.
Nothing.
"…See?" she muttered under her breath. "You're fine."
She stepped forward.
And for the first time—
Nothing happened.
No flash.
No memory.
No interruption.
Just the quiet sound of her footsteps crossing the street.
Liora exhaled. "…Okay."
Maybe she was overthinking.
Maybe—
"Excuse me."
She stopped.
The voice came from her left this time.
Not behind her.
Not where she expected.
Different.
Liora turned.
Adrian Vale stood a few feet away.
Not close.
Not familiar.
Just… there.
Like anyone else.
"…Sorry," he said, gesturing lightly. "Do you know if this bus stops near the west district?"
Liora blinked. "…What?"
The question was so normal—so ordinary—it didn't fit.
"West district?" he repeated, like nothing was strange at all.
"…Yeah," she said slowly. "It does. Two stops down, I think."
"Ah." He nodded. "Good to know."
A pause.
"…Thanks."
"…You're welcome."
Silence settled between them.
Not the same silence as before.
This one felt distant.
Like something that should be there… wasn't.
Liora studied him.
He looked the same.
Same calm expression.
Same steady presence.
And yet—
It felt like she was meeting him for the first time.
"…Have we met?" she asked.
Adrian tilted his head slightly. "…I don't think so."
The answer came easily.
Naturally.
Too naturally.
Liora frowned. "…That's weird."
"…Is it?" he asked.
"Yeah," she said. "You just… seem familiar."
A brief pause.
Something flickered in his eyes.
Gone almost instantly.
"I get that a lot," he said lightly.
It sounded like a joke.
But it didn't feel like one.
"…What's your name?" she asked.
"…Adrian."
He didn't offer his last name this time.
"…Liora."
"I know," he said.
The words slipped out.
Just like before.
Both of them paused.
"…You know?" she repeated.
Adrian didn't miss a beat. "I heard someone call you earlier."
Liora blinked. "…Oh."
That made sense.
It should have made sense.
And yet—
Something about it didn't sit right.
"…Right," she said quietly.
"Well, thanks for the help," he added, stepping back slightly.
Creating distance.
Intentional.
Like he was careful not to linger.
"Yeah," Liora said. "No problem."
He nodded once.
Then turned.
And walked away.
---
Liora didn't move right away.
She watched him go, her chest tightening with something she couldn't explain.
"…Why does that feel wrong?"
He hadn't done anything strange.
If anything—
That was the most normal interaction they'd had.
And that was the problem.
Because it didn't match.
Not with the crosswalk.
Not with the memories.
Not with the voice in the fire—
"I won't lose you."
Her breath caught.
The memory surged forward again.
Flames.
Heat.
The arms around her—
"…Adrian."
The name left her lips before she realized it.
She froze.
"…Why did I say that?"
She hadn't known his name yet.
Not really.
Not before he said it.
So why did it feel like she had?
Liora turned quickly.
He was still there.
Not far.
Walking away.
She opened her mouth—
Then stopped.
Something held her back.
Not fear.
Something quieter.
Something that felt like a warning.
Don't.
Liora swallowed hard. "…What is happening to me?"
She watched him disappear into the crowd.
And for the first time—
The thought settled fully into place.
This isn't coincidence.
---
Adrian didn't look back.
But he felt it.
The moment her gaze lingered too long.
The moment recognition almost formed.
"…Too soon," he murmured.
His expression didn't change.
Didn't break.
Didn't reveal anything.
But his steps slowed—just slightly.
"…You're remembering faster this time."
A pause.
"…I'll adjust."
Something shifted.
Subtle.
Precise.
The kind of change no one would notice—
Except him.
---
That night, Liora dreamed again.
The fire returned, but this time it lingered.
The heat stayed longer.
The smoke felt heavier.
The fear sharper.
And the arms around her—
Stronger.
Closer.
More real.
"I won't lose you."
The voice was clearer now.
Closer.
Familiar.
---
Liora woke with tears on her face.
Her heart pounding.
Her breath uneven.
---
And one terrifying realization settling deep inside her—
---
She wasn't just remembering how she died.
---
She was remembering—
---
Who was there when it happened.
---