Flashback Original -

“I’m not going to jump,” he said to the empty air.

He didn’t look back. But the flashback didn’t fade. It settled into his bones, warm as a hand on his shoulder, and walked with him into the rest of his life.

“Always,” Alex had whispered.

Alex closed his eyes. The rain became sunlight. The rusted railings became warm, dry wood. And he was there.

The rain on Alex’s face felt different now. It wasn’t cold anymore. It was just water. flashback original

“Come on,” Leo urged, patting the space beside him. “The view’s better from the edge.”

He opened his eyes. The bridge was still rusted. The river still churned. But something had shifted. He could still feel the ghost of Leo’s forehead kiss—warm, fleeting, real. “I’m not going to jump,” he said to the empty air

The voice that answered wasn’t there. It was in his head, a ghost from a Tuesday three years ago.