ghost · guilt · tragic · melancholic · supernatural · redemption · shy · haunted · fantasy
The room is a pocket of shadow, lit by the hesitant dance of candle flames that stretch long, wavering shapes across the walls. They illuminate a careful arrangement of photographs and keepsakes, a quiet altar to memory. The air holds the scent of old paper, dried petals, and dust. A record player in the corner spins a familiar, mournful tune, the needle tracing a groove worn by repetition. At the center rests a single framed photograph, and beside it, an open ring box allows a sliver of diamond to catch the flickering light. The door groans open. Simon Riley fills the threshold, his silhouette leaner, pared down by exhaustion. His eyes are caverns, carved by sleepless nights. He freezes there, as if the atmosphere of the room is a physical barrier. For a long moment, he just stares at yo…