WHISPERER

Jade’s chest heaved as the mysterious teenager dissolved into a black puff of smoke. The air smelled of ash and decay, clinging to her throat as she coughed. Tremors raced through her body; fear had sunk its claws deep.

Then—

Whoosh.

The sound tore the silence apart. She spun, her stomach plunging. The teenager had reappeared only a few paces behind, her lips curled into a devilish smile. The glow in her eyes brightened as she lunged forward at a speed beyond reason, her white gown billowing like shredded wings.

“Stay away from me!” Jade shrieked, clutching her chest as her heart threatened to leap free.

The girl’s mouth opened wide—unnaturally wide.

The scream that followed was not human. It tore through the hallway like a blade, a sonic wail so violent it bent the air itself. A wave of force exploded outward, slamming into Jade with the strength of a storm.

She flew backward. The world blurred—wall, ceiling, shadow—and then a hard impact cracked her bones into silence.

“Jade! Wake up!”

A voice, soft yet sharp, pierced her mind.

She gasped awake, her body trembling. The brightness of the dorm swam into focus. She lay sprawled on the floor beside her bed, stripped bare, skin clammy against the cold tiles. Her roommate, Lucy, crouched beside her with wide, wary eyes.

“Are you alright?” Lucy asked, curiosity laced with suspicion.

Jade groaned, rubbing her bleary eyes. “What happened?” she murmured, her voice so small it barely escaped her lips.

Lucy crossed her arms, her tone cutting. “I should be asking you. You’re the one lying naked on the floor.”

Heat shot through Jade’s face. She blinked down at her body—completely exposed.

“Oh my God!” she cried, scrambling to cover herself. She folded her arms across her breasts, crossing her legs tightly to conceal the shame between her thighs. Her voice broke as she whispered, “Did anyone… besides you… see?”

Lucy sighed, dismissing her panic with a flick of her hand. “No. Don’t worry. Male students aren’t even allowed in the girls’ dorm.”

The reassurance only made Jade’s heart twist tighter. Luke. The memory of his warmth, his presence, came rushing back. She darted her eyes around the room, searching desperately for his clothes, his shoes—anything. Nothing remained.

“What are you looking for?” Lucy asked, her brow furrowed. Her roommate’s restless eyes betrayed the truth: Jade was searching for someone.

Panic surged. If I say Luke was here, I could get expelled. She forced a smile, shoving guilt deep down. “Nothing. Just… curious.” She turned her face away. “When did you get back?”

“Not long ago.” Lucy’s voice was clipped, suspicious. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Of course.” Jade’s lips stretched into another thin smile.

Lucy wasn’t convinced, but she let it slide. “Then dress up,” she said flatly, rising to her feet.

She unzipped her bag on the bed, the sharp rasp of the zipper cutting through the room like a blade. Jade flinched, her nerves raw. Every sound seemed magnified, every shadow threatening.

It was just a nightmare, she told herself. Nothing more.

But her heart refused the lie. The scars, the scream, the shadow girl’s eyes—they were too real. And Luke. He was here. He touched her. He vanished.

Her fingers shook as she pulled on her clothes. When she finally slid her phone from the desk, her pulse surged with hope. She dialed Luke’s number and pressed the phone to her ear.

One ring.

Two.

Then a voice.

But not his.

“The person you’re trying to reach is no longer in the world. You can’t see him anymore.”

Her body went cold.

She yanked the phone away, her breath ragged. That couldn’t be right. She redialed, pressed the phone tighter to her ear.

Again, the same chilling message:

“You can’t see him anymore.”

The words cracked something inside her. She slid down to the floor, sobbing, tears splashing against her trembling hands.

“What’s wrong?” Lucy rushed forward, alarm softening her sharpness.

Jade couldn’t form the words. She simply shoved the phone into Lucy’s hand and gestured for her to listen.

Lucy held the phone up, waiting. It rang—then clicked into voicemail.

“Hey, this is Luke. Leave a message after the beep.”

Silence.

Lucy lowered the phone, her face tightening into irritation. She hissed sharply. “So you can’t reach your boyfriend. That’s no reason to fall apart like this!”

Jade blinked through tears, stunned. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re overreacting. It’s the first day back on campus—don’t start drama.” She shoved the phone back into Jade’s palm and turned her back to unpack.

Jade clutched the phone, her body trembling harder. She lifted it again, pressed it to her ear, needing to know she wasn’t imagining it.

The haunting voice returned:

“You can’t see him anymore.”

Her breath caught. Terror clawed at her throat. She bolted to her feet, racing toward the door. Her hand barely grazed the knob when—

BANG.

A heavy knock rattled the door.

“This is the police. Open up!”

Her heart lurched. She froze, glancing at Lucy. Fear painted both their faces.

Jade’s trembling fingers turned the knob. The door opened with a groan, revealing two women in uniform. One wore the badge of an officer; the other held hers higher, flashing it with authority.

“Detective Ann Cole,” the woman said, her voice steady. She tucked her badge away and pulled a flip notepad from her pocket. Her gaze locked on Jade. “We’re here for Jade Billy. Are you her?”

Lucy whispered under her breath, “This can’t be good.”

Jade’s throat constricted. “I—I’m Jade,” she stammered. “Am I… under arrest?”

“That depends,” Ann said coolly. She checked her notes, then looked up. “For now, we just have questions. About the death of Luke Anderson.”

The words stabbed through Jade like a knife.

She staggered back, choking on her sobs. “What? No—no, this can’t be true!” Her voice fractured into a howl as tears poured freely.

Lucy froze in shock, finally connecting the dots. Jade’s breakdown. The call. The voicemail. It all made sense now.

“Ms. Billy,” Ann said firmly, “will you come with us to the station?”

“You think I had something to do with his death?” Jade whispered, trembling.

Ann’s eyes narrowed. “Did you?”

The detective’s tone was sharp, already laced with suspicion. The Dean of Students had told her Jade was the last person seen with Luke. His body found cold in his dorm. And when there’s no clear trail, suspicion always falls hardest on the closest witness.

The first suspect—was Jade.