Vivianne remained at the hospital while Sharlene left to meet someone—likely about the disturbing revelations they had discussed earlier.
I can't just sit here doing nothing, she thought. The memories were still vivid in her mind. She had been just a child when she first witnessed the tragedy.
After the woman was buried alive, and silence returned to the surroundings, ten-year-old Vivianne had rushed to the grave site. She tried to dig the woman up, but the sudden rain made it impossible. The soil turned to mud, swallowing her efforts.
I'll call my sister. I'll ask for help, she had thought desperately. At the time, Vivianne was just ten, and Sharlene was twelve.
Soaked and muddied, she stumbled away from the burial site—only to come face-to-face with a crying woman. Vivianne froze.
"S–Sister?" she whispered.
The woman stopped crying and turned to her.
Child? You can see me? the woman asked, tears in her eyes.
Vivianne nodded weakly.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help you..." Vivianne whispered, voice breaking.
The woman didn't speak—she only gave her a sorrowful look and gently brushed a strand of hair from Vivianne's face.
"Go home. Your family is looking for you," the spirit said.
Vivianne began crying. Though she was young, she felt the weight of her helplessness. As a silent gesture of apology, she left a small flower she had found beside the grave.
Years passed.
Vivianne raised her younger sister, Tashia, alone. The money from Sharlene helped sustain them. Still, she never forgot the woman. She often returned to the burial site with flowers.
One day in high school, she was shocked to find a mansion under construction on that very land. Strangely, the specific patch of earth where the spirit had been buried remained untouched.
"Vivianne, Grandma wants to talk to you," Sharlene had told her once.
Vivianne nodded and went to meet Felicia, feeling uneasy. As she entered the room, she was met with a penetrating gaze.
"Vivianne," Felicia said.
Beside her, the ghostly woman reappeared.
"I know you recognize her. You are the key to her peace, Vivianne," Felicia said.
"Don't involve the child, Felicia," Leah's voice broke through. "She was just a girl when it happened. Don't give her more fear than she already carries."
Vivianne felt relief that she wouldn't have to face it again. But Felicia had other plans. In secret, she persuaded Vivianne to testify—only to later change her mind and drop the case.
A few years later, as a high school junior, Vivianne was summoned again to her grandmother's house.
"Vivianne?" someone called.
She turned and saw Sharlene, who introduced her to a stranger. "This is Vivianne."
"Do you need anything?" Sharlene asked.
Vivianne shook her head and was about to leave, but Felicia called her back.
"Vivianne, come here."
Fear returned. She hesitated but followed.
"Is this the child you mentioned?" the woman asked Felicia.
Felicia nodded.
"Grandma, what's going on? Where is the woman you promised to help?" Vivianne asked, confused.
"Vivianne, I need you to keep the truth hidden," Felicia said sternly.
Vivianne furrowed her brow, stunned by what she was hearing.
"You were paid a large sum, even more than what was offered to help that woman, weren't you?" she asked bitterly.
Felicia sighed. "It's for your own good. This stays between us—just us. Understand?"
Vivianne hesitated, then nodded. She had to survive. She had to protect Tashia. Starvation wasn't an option.
After that meeting, she ran back to the old burial site. A mansion was being built, and workers were bustling around. The woman's grave was no longer visible.
"I'll kill your sister and grandma if you talk. You'll starve," a whisper slithered into her ear.
Vivianne jumped, whirling around. A woman stood nearby, smirking.
"Keep it quiet," she said before vanishing.
A nurse entered the hospital room to check on Ashley. Vivianne glanced at the sleeping child, not knowing when she would wake up.
"Sister Vivianne…"
The soft voice startled her. Ashley stood there—alive in spirit form.
"Ashley," Vivianne whispered, stunned.
The child smiled. "Don't worry. You'll get out of here."
Ashley nodded, adding, "Tita Leah isn't bad. She takes care of me."
Vivianne asked gently, "Has Leah set you free?"
"She's trying, but I can't visit Mama yet," the child said sadly.
"Why are you here today?" Vivianne asked.
"You have powers Mama doesn't. Please tell her not to worry too much."
And with that, Ashley disappeared.
Vivianne closed her eyes tightly, taking in the weight of what the child had just told her.