—August 2nd, 2025 - Night—

I lay in bed, staring at my phone screen while Sarah slept beside me. The brightness was turned all the way down, and I'd angled myself away from her—a precaution that made me feel both clever and ashamed. My heart nearly stopped when an unknown number lit up my screen.

Unknown: Made it home safe! Though I probably shouldn't have run in sandals 😅

I quickly saved the number under "E" and responded, trying to ignore how my hands were shaking.

Me: That was quite the exit! I was worried you'd trip in the dark

E: Nah, I know that cemetery like the back of my hand E: Plus I felt bad for making you stand in the dark when you're scared of it…

I blinked at my screen. I hadn't told her I was afraid of the dark. Had I? Maybe I'd mentioned it without thinking.

Me: How did you know that?

E: Lucky guess? You seemed tense when the sun was setting E: Or maybe I can read minds 👻

My pulse quickened. After years of studying the occult, I knew better than to dismiss such comments as mere jokes. But before I could pursue that thread, she sent another message.

E: So what are you doing right now?

Me: Just lying in bed Me: Sarah's asleep

I hesitated before sending that second message. It felt wrong to mention Sarah to Eli, but somehow even more wrong not to acknowledge her existence.

E: Ah E: My fiancé's working late again E: Third time this week

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The ellipsis appeared and disappeared several times before her next message came through.

E: Is it bad that I'm glad?

My throat tightened. I knew exactly what she meant—that guilty relief when your partner's absence lets you breathe easier.

Me: No Me: I get it Me: I've been taking more cemetery walks lately for the same reason

Sarah shifted beside me, and I froze. But she just rolled over, still deep in sleep. I realized I was holding my breath and slowly let it out.

E: We're kind of terrible people, aren't we?

I stared at her message for a long moment. The otaku part of me wanted to reference how many anime protagonists found themselves in similar situations, torn between duty and desire. But this wasn't anime. This was real life, with real people who could really get hurt.

Me: Maybe Me: But something about this feels...different Me: Like it's bigger than just us being unfaithful

E: I know exactly what you mean E: It's like... E: Have you ever had a dream that felt more real than reality?

My heart skipped. I'd had countless conversations about dreams and reality during my occult studies, but never with someone who seemed to understand instinctively.

Me: Yes! It's like that Me: Like maybe this is what reality is supposed to feel like Me: And everything else has been the dream

E: Tris?

Me: Yeah?

E: I'm scared

Me: Of what?

E: Of how right this feels E: When it should feel wrong

I glanced at Sarah's sleeping form, guilt and certainty wrestling in my chest.

Me: Me too Me: But I don't want to stop

E: Good E: Because I don't either E: I should go to sleep though. Early meeting tomorrow 😪

Me: Yeah, I should sleep too Me: See you tomorrow?

E: Same time, same place 🖤 E: Sweet dreams, Tris

Me: Sweet dreams, Eli

I stared at our conversation for a long time after that, until my eyes burned from the light. Then I deleted it all, knowing I'd remember every word anyway. As I set my phone aside, I noticed my promise ring still sitting in my pocket where I'd put it during our walk. I should put it back on. I should end whatever this was before it went too far.

Instead, I placed it in my bedside drawer and turned off the lamp. In the darkness that I usually feared, I found myself smiling, already counting the hours until tomorrow's cemetery walk. Whatever this thing with Eli was—fate, magic, or something far stranger—it felt like waking up from a long sleep.

And I wasn't ready to stop dreaming yet.