"I know you have hesitations about staying..."
A man's voice. Low, steady—almost gentle.
It sounded... very familiar.
'Who was that?'
"But I want you to stay here. With me. I..."
The voice wavered, as though holding back something.
'Why is it dark?'
Pitch-black. Not a shadow, not a dim room—just nothing.
"From the moment I saw you, and the time we've spent together, I realized my feelings for you go beyond just partners..."
Something brushed against his skin.
Fingers—warm, deliberate—curling around his hands.
The grip was careful, like the other person was afraid he might pull away.
He couldn't see them. He couldn't move.
And worse—he couldn't speak.
'What was happening?'
"I love you."
The voice broke on the last word, and the sound seemed to echo in the endless dark.
'Who—?'
"Wake up!"
Eli's eyes shot open at the jarring voice, his entire body jerking as he sucked in a deep breath—like he'd been underwater for hours and had only just broken the surface.
