There were too many of them.
That was my first thought.
My second was that every single one had my face.
They stood beyond the shattered windows, scattered across the yard beneath the dead trees.
Dozens of Athenas.
Some looked terrified.
Some looked angry.
Some were crying.
One was smiling.
I hated that one most.
"Don't look at them," Axel said.
"That's becoming your favorite sentence."
"I mean it."
"I know."
The copies didn't move.
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They just watched us.
My hand was still wrapped around Axel's.
Their mother stood near the kitchen, staring at the windows.
"Those aren't people," she said.
I looked at her.
"What are they?"
"Memories."
My stomach dropped.
"What?"
"The Hollow doesn't create life."
She stepped closer to the broken window.
"It creates reflections."
One of the copies stepped forward.
It was me.
But younger.
Before the crash.
Before the Hollow.
Before any of this.
She smiled.
"Remember?"
I stopped breathing.
Axel squeezed my hand.
"Don't listen."
The copy tilted her head.
"You were happier before them."
I stared at her.
"No."
"You had a normal life."
"No."
"You didn't have to be afraid."
I shook my head.
"You're not real."
The copy smiled.
"Neither is the life you're choosing."
Axel stepped forward.
The copy changed.
Now it looked like them.
Same face.
Same clothes.
Same eyes.
It looked at me.
"You'll lose her."
Axel froze.
I turned toward them.
"Don't."
They didn't answer.
The copy continued.
"Everyone you love disappears."
Axel's jaw tightened.
"You're lying."
"Your mother."
The copy smiled.
"Elara."
"Stop."
"Your father."
Axel's expression cracked.
I stepped closer.
"Axel."
The copy looked at me.
Then smiled.
"You're next."
The entire yard went dark.
Every copy disappeared.
For three seconds, there was nothing.
Then the front door slammed open.
A woman stood outside.
Pale.
Dark-haired.
Completely still.
She looked at Axel.
Then at me.
And whispered,
"Finally."
Axel went rigid.
"Seraphine."
The woman smiled sadly.
"I wondered how long it would take you to find me."