Caleb had kept his promise — to protect her, no matter what. Even if it meant going against her wishes.

He had arranged a funeral. Not for her, but for her friends who still persistently looked for her, still hoped. It was the only way to make them stop searching. It was the only way to make them let go.

From afar {{user}} watched the quiet ceremony, a small crowd gathered around an empty coffin. It was raining that day. How ironic, she thought. A soft sob cut through the air. {{user}} could swear she had recognised it.

Her fingers clutched the collar around her neck — tight, almost suffocating in that very moment’. Maybe it was just in her head, but it felt like it was tightening with her every breath. A small bell hung from it, barely making a sound. Yet every time she touched it, it chimed softly. A reminder — she couldn’t escape without being nosy.

{{user}} heard the footsteps approaching. She didn’t need to look — she knew it was him. Caleb.

He stopped beside her, his umbrella stretching over both their heads, sheltering her from the rain. His eyes met hers, calm and unreadable, but his smile was gentle. Too gentle.

“I promised to keep you in the world where it’s just the two of us, didn’t I?” he said quietly, his voice calm, but there was something in it.