DEATH

ALANNA

“Some truths are too heavy to bear, but they must be carried nonetheless.”

The phone rang late in the evening. Nolan and I were curled up on the couch, enjoying a rare moment of peace. When he saw Chloe’s name flash across the screen, he hesitated, the tension immediately creeping back into his shoulders. He glanced at me, his brows furrowed in concern.

“I’ll answer,” I offered, knowing that whatever she had to say would weigh on him. He handed me the phone, relief mingled with worry in his eyes.

“Hello?” I tried to keep my voice steady, but my mind raced with possibilities. Why was she calling now?

“Alanna,” Chloe’s voice was weak, almost unrecognizable. There was an urgency in her tone that sent a chill down my spine. “I’m at the hospital. I need you and Nolan to come… please, it’s important.”

Before I could respond, she hung up. I stared at the phone, my mind reeling.

“What did she say?” Nolan’s voice broke through my thoughts.

“She’s at the hospital. She wants us to come… N