chapter 30: whispers in the dark
the night settled over the village like a heavy cloak, stars flickering faintly beyond the thick canopy. ren lay awake on the wooden floor of maya's home, the quiet pressing against his ears. his mind refused to rest, caught in the endless loop of questions and shadows.
he stared at the ceiling, thoughts swirling like a storm. the memory of the attack haunted him — that strange feeling of losing control, like someone pulling threads from his mind. who was behind it? why target him?
his pride clenched like a fist, angry at his own weakness. "i'm supposed to be the strongest. how can i protect anyone if i can't even protect myself?"
a faint noise outside made him sit up, alert. footsteps. soft but deliberate.
he rose, moving quietly toward the door. his heart hammered, senses sharp despite exhaustion.
"ren," a voice whispered. it was maya, standing in the shadows. "i couldn't sleep."
he nodded, stepping back to let her in. they sat together in the dim light, silence stretching between them.
"do you ever wonder," maya began, "if the memories we lose are meant to stay lost?"
ren frowned. "no. i have to remember. i have to know the truth."
"but what if the truth hurts?" she asked softly.
he swallowed, the weight of uncertainty pressing down. pride wanted answers, but fear whispered caution.
"i don't know," he admitted, voice low. "but i can't stop searching. even if it breaks me."
maya reached out, her hand brushing his. "you don't have to be alone."
ren looked at her, the silence between them filled with something unspoken — a fragile connection in the darkness.
he closed his eyes, the whispers of his past still elusive, but his resolve burning brighter than ever. the journey to reclaim himself had only just begun.