CHAPTER 2 — THE NAME ON THE GRAVESTONE
CHAPTER 2 — THE NAME ON THE GRAVESTONE
Claire ran.
The streets felt longer than they should.
Every turn looked the same.
Every face still smiling.
She reached the town cemetery.
And froze.
A fresh grave.
Her name carved into stone:
CLAIRE MORGAN
1996 – 2026
“RETURNED HOME TOO LATE”
Claire shook her head violently.
“No… I’m alive.”
A voice behind her replied softly:
“That’s what makes it worse.”
She turned.
A woman stood there holding flowers.
“Everyone here remembers your death,” the woman said.
Claire’s voice cracked.
“But I just arrived!”
The woman tilted her head.
“No.”
“You returned.”
---
Claire grabbed the gravestone.
It was still warm.
Like it had just been engraved.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown number:
“DON’T LET THEM FINISH THE CEREMONY.”
Claire looked up.
And saw the church bell ringing by itself.
Slow.
May you like
Deliberate.
Calling her back.
