The ride home was covered in silence, the kind that prevents questioning.
The streetlights slid across the windscreen, creating lengthy shadows on Anna's face. She hadn't said a thing since they left the strange apartment. She folded her hands in her lap. She appeared sick, lost in a way that had nothing to do with her body and everything to do with something she couldn't describe.
Adex kept his eyes on the road but often glanced at her. She didn't blink or move an inch; it was as if she had turned to stone when they stepped into the car.
"Anna," he whispered, "what did you see back there?"
Anna didn't answer.
He tried again. "You told me we were in the wrong house. How did you know?"
Still nothing.
Then, she slowly turned her head toward him. Their eyes met, and for a moment, she stared without saying a word. After a while, she gave a slight nod, as if to say she wasn't ready to talk yet.
Adex gripped the wheel tightly, his face showing disappointment. "Please, talk to me."
Anna reached for the door.
Adex looked away and didn't stop her.
The car door opened with a faint click, allowing the cold night air to surge in. She stepped outside and walked carefully toward the gate.
Adex leaned back, watching her. Then, Mr. Halden emerged from the shadows.
He looked worried.
"Where have you been?" he asked, his voice low and brows furrowed.
Anna remained silent. She appeared pale and trembled slightly, like someone pulled from deep water too quickly. Her clothes clung to her, and she looked terrified.
Mr. Halden's eyes quickly scanned her face, his concern growing. He gently took her elbow and led her inside.
Adex stayed in the car, watching. Anna didn't turn back, and the gate creaked closed behind her.
In the hallway, the faint light from the porch cast a glow, and Anna flinched at it.
Mr. Halden slowed his steps, walking beside her.
"Have you heard from Jill?" Anna asked.
"She's here," he said quietly.
"Who?" she asked with a confused expression.
"Jill. She came back earlier tonight." Mr. Halden responded.
Anna stopped walking, her breath catching as she looked at Mr. Halden. "What?"
"The hospital discharged her," he said.
"And nobody called me. Someone should have informed me. I'm her first contact. If things had changed—" He shook his head. "It doesn't matter. At least she's safe."
Anna blinked. "She's home?"
Mr. Halden nodded. "In the living room."
Something about that didn't feel right. Jill had looked like a broken thing in the hospital—feverish, shaking, out of her mind. She wasn't ready to be out. Anna hurried past Mr. Halden without another word.
She hurriedly opened the door and froze when she saw Jill in the living room.
Jill was pacing barefoot across the room, her arms tight against her chest. Her hair was loose and tangled, her eyes darting to every window and every corner.
The moment she saw Anna, she stopped mid-step.
"Anna." Her voice trembled.
And then she ran to her.
She wrapped her arms around her.
"I thought I lost you," Jill whispered. "I've been calling. You didn't pick up. You don't know what it's like to be alone in the hospital without anyone answering."
Anna stood, arms down at her sides, pulse beating. Then she slowly moved her hands up and hugged her back.
"I'm here," she murmured.
Jill pulled away just far enough to look at her.
"I'm scared, Anna," she said. "I don't know what's happening to me. Everything feels wrong. I needed to see you. You're all I have left."
Her voice trembled. A tear slid down her cheek. "Don't leave me, too."
Anna nodded and swallowed the lump in her throat. "Why did you leave the hospital?"
"I had to," Jill said, glancing toward the hallway. "Something happened. Something I have to tell you."
Anna waited.
Jill opened her mouth, then flinched, placing a palm on her temple.
"Headache?" Anna asked.
"Feels like something's pressing against my skull."
"You shouldn't have come home," Anna said. "You look worse."
"You look worse, too," Jill said, with the tiniest smile. "Where were you, anyway?"
Anna hesitated. Her lips parted, then closed again. She sat down on the nearest chair.
"Honestly? I don't know how to explain it."
"Try."
Anna shook her head. "It was like walking into a dream—a bad one. I have a feeling that I saw something... someone." She paused, and her voice lowered. "And I don't think it'll let us forget it."
Jill was quiet for a moment. Then she reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Rest first," Jill said. "We'll talk later."
"Okay," Anna replied.
"You promise?" Jill asked.
"I promise," Anna said.
Anna stood, legs weak beneath her, and let Jill walk her to the bedroom. The hallway felt colder now. The walls seemed closer than usual, like the house was listening.
Jill opened the door, and Anna stepped inside.
She sat on the bed, head heavy, heart unsteady.
Jill remained in the doorway.
"You should sleep too," Anna said. "You look like hell."
"I've seen worse," Jill said, smirking faintly.
"Don't get cocky."
They exchanged the smallest laugh, but it didn't last.
Jill's expression grew serious. "There's something I need to tell you. But not tonight. I need to clear my head first."
Anna leaned back on the pillows. "A secret?"
Jill paused for a moment, her face puzzled. She didn't say anything.
Then she turned off the light and closed the door.
To Be Continued...