Page 73 of Killing Me Softly

“The house was quiet. But I heard it… the music.”

Kenny’s pulse flickered. His voice remained steady. “Music?”

“Yeah. It’s… scratchy. Grainy. From a record.”

“Do you recognise the song?”

Aaron exhaled slowly. “Killing Me Softly.”

Kenny and Jack exchanged a sharp glance. Kenny’s jaw tightened, but he kept his focus locked on Aaron.

“Where is it coming from?”

“Downstairs.” A pause. Then, quieter, “The back of the house.”

“Are you moving toward it?”

Aaron swallowed. “I want to. But I’m groggy. Heavy. I feel weird. My body isn’t working properly.”

“That’s okay. Just observe. Let the memory unfold on its own.”

Aaron’s face contorted as though he were wading through thick fog.

“I… I’m getting up. My feet are cold. The hallway is dark, but the music is still playing. It’s coming from outside.”

“Outside where?”

Aaron swallowed, Adam’s apple bobbing. “The shed. The warehouse.” His voice wavered. “I’m not allowed in there.”

Kenny brushed his thumb over the back of Aaron’s hand, slow and grounding. “But did you go?”

Aaron’s breath stuttered. His brow furrowed, muscles tensing. “Yeah… Trampled barefoot over the woodland. It hurt. I—ouch. I cut my toe.”

Kenny let a small pause stretch before continuing, voice coaxing, steady. “That’s okay. You’re doing so well. Just keep observing. What do you see?”

Aaron’s breathing had slowed to an eerie stillness, as if his body was caught between now and then.

“The door’s cracked open,” he said. “Light’s spilling out. The music’s louder now. I’m peeking inside…”

A sharp inhale.

Kenny held his breath.

“There’s a girl.”

The words came in a hush, so quiet Kenny barely heard them.

Jack’s posture stiffened near the window. Kenny could feel the shift in the air—this was it.

“Can you see her clearly?” Kenny asked, voice barely above a whisper.

“Not really. She’s older than me. Maybe she’s eleven? Twelve? I can’t tell. She’s sitting on a chair. By a gramophone. Huge horn speaker. Dad’s old antique.” Aaron’s head fell to the side. “She’s shaking. I think she’s tied up.”

“You’re still safe, Aaron. Just watching.”

“Mum’s there. She’s… she’s singing. But she keeps stopping. Yelling at the girl. Telling her she’s useless.”

“Just keep observing. What happens next?”

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