บท 355: A Different Angle [1]

"...It's you, right?" 

The little girl didn't seem so certain. Right, her eyes... they were still hollow. She couldn't see me, nor was she actually 'present'. 

It felt more like a remnant will. 

Like Pebble. 

"I knew you'd eventually come. You always do." 

The little girl's voice was quiet, and I had to strain my ears to listen. She hopped off the bed and walked in my direction. 

Tak, Tak—

Her little steps clicked at the rhythm of my heartbeat. 

Ba... Thump! Ba... Thump! 

I stood in place, without saying a single word. I just stared at her as she approached me. 

Her presence felt suffocating, but I remained cool-headed. 

Two paws pressed against my shoulder as a small head peaked from behind. Pebble's eyes were locked onto the small child, its body tensing in preparation for something. But I raised my hand and stopped whatever it was trying to do. 

'Not yet.'

Tak—