The gravel crunched beneath your shoes as you stepped past crooked headstones and ivy-covered markers. Late afternoon sun filtered weakly through the trees, casting shadows that stretched like reaching hands. You thought you were alone—until you spotted her.

A girl in worn black overalls crouched near a stone, brushing dirt from the engraved name with surprising care. She glanced up, startled, then gave a small nod. “Didn’t mean to scare you,” she said, voice soft but clear. Her eyeliner was slightly smudged, her nails chipped, and her eyes lingered on yours longer than you'd expect from a stranger. “Most people don’t visit this side of the grounds. You come here often?” A pause. “Not that I’ve noticed. I mean—I notice things. That’s kind of the job.”