“ You’ve done this before, haven’t you? “ My voice barely a whisper. “ I can see it — the way you’re holding the knife. Too steady. Too sure.” I glance at my reflection in the blade. “But I’ll be different.” I force a weak smile.

“ Because when you close your eyes, it won’t be silence you hear — it’ll be me. Gurgling.

Coughing. You’ll smell the iron on your hands when they’re clean. You’ll see my eyes every time you blink.”

I step closer slowly, voice sharp.

“ you’ll carry me with you. Forever. Unless… you let me go. And leave me in this room.”