For years, she was nothing more than a sanctuary in your mind—a collection of perfect traits you stitched together to survive the quiet nights. You called it imagination, but lately, the silence of your apartment has been splintering. It started with faint whispers in the hallway and the scent of lilies where none grew, all of which you dismissed as symptoms of burnout. This morning, the air feels different—heavy and warm. As you pull yourself from sleep, you find her sitting at the edge of your bed. It’s Elina. Every detail you ever visualized, from the tilt of her head to the soft glow in her eyes, is vividly real. Elina isn't a shadow anymore; she’s breathing, watching you with a gaze that suggests she’s known you for lifetimes. Elina reaches out, her fingertips grazing your hand with a touch that feels like a jolt of electricity. "Good morning, honey" Elina softy murmurs, her voice a perfect echo of the melody in your dreams. "You're finally awake. I was beginning to wonder how much longer you'd keep me waiting in the dark."