What Sleeps – Extrait 36
tightening, the ache a slow, sharp knot. Her fingers tightened around Alexei’s, her pulse a slow, heavy drumbeat. “There!” Her voice was sharp now, tangled, a faint, desperate thread. “Do you see him?” Alexei turned, his eyes tracing the mist, the pale, silver light that twisted, bled against the darkness. “There’s nothing there.” His voice was calm, steady. “Just rain. Just shadows.” “It’s not just shadows.” Her voice was sharp, cracking. “It’s him. He’s watching.” “Then go to him.” His voice was calm, but his fingers tightened around hers. “See him. Face him.” “I can’t.” Her voice was a faint, shivering whisper. “I don’t want to.” “Yes, you do.” His fingers were warm, tight, his voice a faint, calm hum. “Because you want to know.” Her breath was sharp, tearing at her chest. Her pulse a slow, heavy drumbeat. But the shadow didn’t leave. Just stood there, still, silent, a dark shape pressed against the pale, flickering light. And then it moved. A step. Slow. Steady. A faint, dark shape that slipped between the mist, that twisted, melted, pressed against the cold, wet stone. Kalina’s breath caught, the ache twisting, sharp, pressing. “He’s coming.” “Good.” Alexei’s voice was calm, his eyes sharp, his fingers warm, strong. “Then stop running.” “I can’t.” Her voice was too thin, too fast, tangled. “I can’t… I just…” “Then he will always follow.” His voice was a faint, calm breath. “Because you keep giving him a place to stand.” Her breath was sharp, her chest tight, the ache a slow, heavy knot. The shadow stepped closer. His face was pale now, half-hidden in the mist, his eyes dark, sharp, a faint, silver gleam that twisted, bled against the pale light. “Alexei…” Her voice was a faint, desperate whisper. “I’m here.” His fingers were warm, strong. “But I can’t save you from yourself.” “I’m not…” Her voice was sharp, cracking. “I’m not doing this. I’m not… I didn’t… I don’t…” “Yes, you did.” His voice was calm, sharp. “And you still are.” The shadow was close now. Just beyond the mist. His face a pale, dark shape twisted against the silver light. His eyes sharp, empty, watching. “Andrei…” Her voice was a faint, shivering breath. “Is it you?” The shadow didn’t speak. Didn’t move. Just watched. Just stood. But she saw it. The faint, dark line that twisted down his cheek. The scar. The pale, sharp curve that seemed to twist, press against the cold air. Her chest tightened, the ache a slow, sharp knot. Her fingers were white, stiff, clawing at Alexei’s hand. “It’s him…” Her voice was a faint, sharp whisper. “It’s really him…” “No, it isn’t.” Alexei’s voice was calm, sharp. “It’s just you. It’s always been you.” Her breath caught, the ache twisting, pressing, a slow, heavy knot. But the shadow didn’t leave. Just stood there. Just watched. Just waited. “Please…” Her voice was a faint, desperate whisper. “Please just tell me who you are…” But the shadow didn’t speak. Just stepped forward, his coat a dark, twisting shadow that slipped between the mist. And then he was gone. Her chest tightened, the ache pressing, twisting, a slow, heavy knot. Her fingers were white, stiff, her pulse a slow, heavy drumbeat that filled her chest. But the mist was empty. The pale light twisted, bled, a faint, silver glow that traced the wet stone. “He’s gone.” Her voice was a faint, shivering breath. “He was never there.” Alexei’s voice was calm, his fingers warm, tight. “Just a shadow.” “No…” Her voice cracked, a faint, desperate whisper. “No, he was… he was…” But the mist didn’t answer. Just twisted, melted, a pale, silver shroud that wrapped around the narrow, wet streets. And in the distance, a shadow slipped between the rain. Chapter 25: The Doubt That Won’t Leave Kalina’s steps were slow now, her feet pressing against the wet stone, her breath a faint, thin mist that curled against the cold air. The rain
⬅️ Extrait prĂ©cĂ©dent | Extrait suivant ➡️
đź”– Labels : What Sleeps, What Sleeps – Extrait 36
