I woke up screaming.
My eyes flew open.
For several seconds, I couldn't remember where I was.
My chest rose and fell violently beneath the sheets. My hands clawed at the blanket as I searched the darkness of my bedroom.
The voice was still in my head.
Don't wake up.
I swallowed.
I was awake.
I had to be.
I turned toward my bedroom door.
"Mum?"
Nothing.
I sat up.
"Grandpa?"
Silence.
I reached for my phone.
9:17 a.m.
There were no messages.
No missed calls.
Nothing.
That was strange.
Mum always texted me if she left the house before I woke up.
I climbed out of bed.
"Mum?"
I checked her room.
Empty.
Cam's room.
Empty.
Nurys's.
Empty.
Grandpa's room.
Empty.
My heartbeat quickened.
I ran downstairs.
The house was silent.
Not sleeping-quiet.
Empty.
The kind of silence that made the walls feel unfamiliar.
I rushed into the kitchen.
There were no dirty dishes.
No half-finished breakfast.
No coffee sitting on the counter.
Nothing.
I grabbed my phone.
