June didn't sleep much after the dream.
When she woke, the first thing she noticed was the doll.
It wasn't on the windowsill where she'd left it.
It was sitting on the edge of her nightstand, head tilted — watching her.
She sat up slowly. Daniel was still asleep beside her, breathing deep and calm.
Maybe he moved it. Maybe she forgot.
She reached out. Its tiny fingers were curled tighter than before.
Later that morning, while brushing her teeth, she caught it again.Not the doll.
Her reflection.
It didn't move when she did.
For a fraction of a second, the mirror showed her standing completely still, head tilted to the side — exactly like the doll.
Then it snapped back.
She dropped her toothbrush into the sink. Foam hit the porcelain like blood splatter.
That night, Daniel was sketching. He hadn't meant to draw anything in particular. He was only trying to clear his head.
But when he looked down at the paper, he saw her.
The woman from June's dream.
Hair like burned silk. Eyes smudged black.Holding the doll like it was her only child.
He'd never seen her before. But something inside him whispered:
You left her behind.
June came out of the shower with a towel wrapped around her hair. She stopped at the door.
"Daniel?" Her voice was soft.
He looked up.
She was staring at the doll. It was on the bed now.
Neither of them had moved it.
June's lips parted. "She whispered to me again," she said.
Daniel's smile faded. "Who?"
June turned to face him, eyes hollow and distant.Not scared. Not panicked.
Just sure.
"The one I used to be."
And from the windowsill, the doll smiled just enough to crack its face.