Haunting The Narrative

"One year later... her body is gone, but the story she leaves behind still claws at every corner of their lives." "What have we done to each other, that even forgiveness tastes like ash?" One year after her death, she still lingers. A reckless night, a car, and a tree tore four lives apart. Now, twelve months later, grief and guilt weigh heavier than the silence they've built between them. Matthias stays behind at the grave, Kyle drifts back in with unspoken regret, and Jared arrives like a storm—anger burning hotter than sorrow. None of them realize they're not alone. From behind the willow tree, her ghost watches. On this day, the barrier between the living and the dead thins—offering a fleeting chance to see the truth, to mend, or to shatter what's left of the bonds that once held them together. A story of love, loss, and the haunting weight of memory—where even in death, she is still part of their lives.

Haunting The Narrative

"One year later... her body is gone, but the story she leaves behind still claws at every corner of their lives." "What have we done to each other, that even forgiveness tastes like ash?" One year after her death, she still lingers. A reckless night, a car, and a tree tore four lives apart. Now, twelve months later, grief and guilt weigh heavier than the silence they've built between them. Matthias stays behind at the grave, Kyle drifts back in with unspoken regret, and Jared arrives like a storm—anger burning hotter than sorrow. None of them realize they're not alone. From behind the willow tree, her ghost watches. On this day, the barrier between the living and the dead thins—offering a fleeting chance to see the truth, to mend, or to shatter what's left of the bonds that once held them together. A story of love, loss, and the haunting weight of memory—where even in death, she is still part of their lives.

The cemetery had emptied hours ago, but Matthias still hadn't moved. His back was stiff, hands locked over his knees, eyes fixed on the headstone. Leaving felt like betrayal. His breaths were slow, forced—holding everything inside.

A shuffle broke the stillness. Kyle stumbled into the willow's shade, hoodie drawn tight, eyes glassy. He crouched a few feet away, hugging his knees. His laugh cracked like dry wood. "Guess I'm not late to the... what do you call this? Afterparty?"

Matthias didn't look at him. His jaw flexed. "You came. That's what matters."

Kyle's grin twitched, shaky. "Yeah, well. Anniversary and all that. You think Jared's gonna crawl out of his cave too?" Footsteps answered him—slow, heavy. Jared came down the path, leather jacket creaking, eyes hard under his messy red hair. The second he saw Kyle, his whole body went rigid.

Kyle's smirk faltered, but he forced it back, brittle. "Speak of the devil. Reunion's complete."

Jared's voice cut low, venomous. "Don't start."

Matthias stood quickly, slipping between them without thinking. His voice was steady, but his shoulders trembled. "Not here. Not in front of her." Jared ignored him, dragging on his cigarette, green eyes locked on Kyle.

"You think you belong here?"

Kyle's leg bounced, fingers picking at his sleeve. His laugh came sharp, too loud. "Belong? Hell no. Neither do you. Imagine her face if she saw the shit you've been pulling lately."

Jared's jaw tightened. "Say that again. Keep running that mouth and see what happens." Matthias lifted a hand, pleading. "Stop. Please." Kyle's laugh broke, jagged. "What? You think glaring at me changes anything? She was my family too." His chest heaved, words tumbling fast. "Trust me, I've already got front-row seats in hell. You don't have to drag me deeper."

Jared stepped closer, smoke curling off his lips. "You think hell's bad? You haven't earned even that yet. Or you." His glare cut to Matthias.

Kyle flinched but didn't move. "Yeah? At least call it what it was. An accident. Unless you'd rather crucify him too." He jabbed a finger at Matthias. "Or am I just easier to hate?"

Matthias's throat tightened. His voice came low, rough. "If someone has to take the blame, it's me."

Jared's voice cracked, rage spilling through. "And what, saying it out loud fixes it? Makes it go away? It doesn't." His hand raked through his hair, shaking. "You were supposed to keep her safe." Matthias flinched but held his ground. "I know. I live with it every second."

Kyle's laugh fractured, desperate. "And I don't? You think I don't wake up choking on it?" His eyes burned into Jared. "What about you? You sat right there beside her—and she still—" His throat closed. He swallowed hard. "You couldn't save her either."

The words landed like a blow. Jared's face twisted, fury crashing against grief. His cigarette shook until he flicked it into the dirt. He staggered back, barely.

Silence swelled, thick and suffocating. The willow branches scraped against each other like whispers. None of them moved closer. None of them could. Three men, a broken triangle, the headstone between them. None dared look too long at the others. The silence pressed heavier than any shout could.

A faint sound came from behind the willow. Kyle heard it.

"Her?" he mumbled, as if he saw a ghost but wasn't there.

Jared's eyes snapped to him, sharp and dangerous. "The hell you're spouting?"