BETRAYED

Chapter 11: Leo

She left without telling anyone. She simply packed her things in silence and disappeared. I can't understand why she did it. No words, no explanations. She just vanished.

There was no word from Ashley for an entire week. I decided she just needed time. Of course, getting two knives in the back at once isn't the easiest thing to go through. Still, I was sure she would handle it. She always did.

There was a misunderstanding between us, but I was confident that, if needed, Ashley would turn to me without a second thought. I'd always been there for her, no matter what had happened between us.

But she didn't. She kept everything inside. And that pain was a nightmare, especially if the only way she saw out of it was through her own demise.

I didn't think it was that bad. After all, Ashley had always seemed so strong. She always found a way out of any situation. She'd always helped those who needed it, but she never got that same help in return. No one reached out to her, no one took her pain seriously.

I felt the weight of guilt pressing down on me. I should have been more attentive, should have stayed with her, not walked away. I knew that the people closest to her had betrayed her, and that's not something you get over easily. Maybe I could have stopped her, supported her somehow, talked to her. But I didn't, because I didn't want the drama. And now she's gone, and I can't bring her back.

No matter how hard I tried to convince myself that it wasn't my fault, I couldn't shake the feeling that I could have done more for her.

Her death was discovered by accident.

For several days, local news channels were covering a forest fire. They reported on a small blaze that had suddenly broken out near Nespish. The fire raged for three days before it was finally brought under control.

Once the flames were fully extinguished, fire investigators were sent to the site to determine the source of the fire.

That's when they stumbled upon a burnt-down cabin in the woods, where they found a charred corpse. The presence of human remains changed the course of the investigation. Detectives, forensic specialists, journalists, and onlookers all arrived at the scene.

That's when everything began.

BODY OF YOUNG WOMAN DISCOVERED IN THE WOODS

A tragic incident occurred in the forest near the town of Nespish. Firefighters and police, who responded to reports of a fire, discovered the remains of a 21-year-old woman in a completely burned-down cabin. Preliminary reports identify the victim as Ashley Davis, a student at the local university.

Experts are on the scene investigating the circumstances of the incident. It remains unclear whether the fire was accidental or the result of a crime. The investigation is considering several theories, including arson. A forensic examination will be conducted in the coming days to determine the cause of death.

Authorities are urging citizens to report any information that might assist the investigation to the hotline numbers provided.

I was having breakfast at a pastry shop when the news first aired. I sat at a table, poking at my cold waffles with a fork, glancing at the TV in the corner. The news played in the background, and I barely paid attention—until I saw her.

At first, I didn't even realize what was happening. Just a familiar face flashing on the screen. But then it hit me like a bolt of lightning.

Her gaze, so serious and frozen in the photograph, seemed to accuse me, asking, "Why didn't you stop me?"

I couldn't tear my eyes away from the screen. The anchor's voice was distant, almost drowned out. But I couldn't look away from her photo. I refused to believe what they were saying. They said she was dead. My throat tightened, and the air became thick. She's gone. Her stare burned into me. She's gone, and I... I'm here, I'm alive, and I did nothing to prevent this.