Bridge between the world

 **Title: The Bridge Between Worlds**

In the small, mist-shrouded town of Everwood, whispers of the dead flowed through the streets like an autumn breeze. Generations passed down tales of the thin veil between the living and the departed, but few believed in the old superstitions anymore. Fewer still dared to wander near the ancient stone bridge that arched over the still waters of the Hollow River.Elena did not believe in ghosts. She had moved to Everwood from the bustling city, seeking peace, a slower life, and distance from her hectic past. But something about the town’s eerie stillness felt different, almost alive with secrets waiting to be uncovered. The townsfolk kept their distance, offering little more than nods and quiet murmurs when they passed her by.It wasn’t until the night of the Harvest Moon that Elena truly began to feel the weight of Everwood’s history.The moon hung full and bright in the sky, casting a silver glow over the town. That evening, Elena had wandered to the edge of the Hollow River, curious about the bridge she had heard so much about. The stone archway looked older than time itself, vines creeping up its sides, and a faint, otherworldly mist lingering just above the water.She stood there, mesmerized by the river’s glassy surface, when she heard a voice, faint but clear.“Elena.”She turned, but no one was there. The wind had stilled, and the air felt thick, like the breath of the night was holding its ground. Her heart quickened, but her feet remained rooted to the spot. The voice came again, closer this time.“Elena.”It was a man’s voice, soft and familiar, though she couldn’t place it. Her pulse raced as she looked around, yet nothing stirred. “Elena, come closer.”Against her better judgment, she stepped onto the stone bridge, each footstep echoing in the silence. The mist swirled at her ankles, and a cold shiver ran down her spine. Halfway across, she saw a figure standing at the other end—tall, shadowed, yet unmistakably human.“Who are you?” she called, her voice trembling slightly.The figure didn’t move, but the mist around it seemed to part, revealing the face of a man she hadn’t seen in years—Daniel, her brother.“Elena,” he said, his eyes soft but sad. “It’s me.”Her heart caught in her throat. Daniel had died three years ago in a car accident, a tragedy that had torn her family apart. She had come to Everwood partly to escape the memories, the pain of losing him. Yet here he was, standing before her as real as the bridge beneath her feet.“This… this isn’t real,” she whispered, stepping back. “You can’t be here.”Daniel smiled, a wistful, sorrowful smile. “The veil is thin here, Elena. Thinner than anywhere else. We can cross over for a time, but only during the Harvest Moon.”She wanted to run, to escape the impossible, but her body refused to move. Instead, she took another step forward, her eyes locked on her brother’s face.“Why are you here?” she asked, her voice barely audible.“To warn you,” he said, his expression darkening. “There are others—spirits trapped between worlds. They are not like me, Elena. They are lost, angry, and they feed on the living who stray too close to the bridge.”As if on cue, the mist began to thicken, swirling in unnatural patterns around her. Faint whispers, like the rustling of leaves, began to rise, and the air grew colder.“I don’t understand,” Elena said, her heart pounding. “Why me? Why now?”Daniel’s gaze softened again, but his voice remained grave. “Because you’re the only one who can help them. The only one who can help me. You have the gift, Elena—the ability to see between worlds.”“I don’t want this,” she said, shaking her head, tears welling in her eyes. “I just wanted to forget.”

“I know,” Daniel whispered. “But the dead never forget. And neither can you.”The mist was rising now, enveloping the bridge, and within it, Elena could see shadowy figures—dozens, maybe more—moving toward her. Some were crying, others whispering incoherent words, their faces distorted by grief and pain.“Go back,” Daniel urged. “Leave the bridge before it’s too late. But know this—you are the key. If you don’t help them find peace, they will haunt you forever.”Elena’s mind raced, torn between the instinct to flee and the pull of the spirits who reached out to her, desperate for release. She backed away slowly, her breath coming in short, ragged bursts.“I’ll help you,” she whispered, though she wasn’t sure how. “But not tonight.”With a final look at Daniel, she turned and ran, her feet pounding against the cold stone, her heart in her throat. The whispers followed her, but she didn’t stop until she was back on the other side of the river, gasping for breath.When she finally dared to look back, the mist had cleared, and the bridge stood empty once more, as if nothing had happened.But Elena knew better. The dead were waiting, and soon she would have to face them again. She had crossed the bridge between worlds, and there was no turning back.