Page 63 of Lost Echoes

I nod, my pulse heavy in my throat. “Three stages of the same play.”

Before I can add more, Billa’s phone buzzes on the arm of her chair. We both freeze.

The screen glows. One word lights it up like a curse.

Kenzi.

Billa’s face drains of color. “That’s not possible.”

My heart skips a beat. “It’s a trap.”

“Has to be.” She stares at the name, thumb hovering, hand trembling.

The phone keeps buzzing, insistent and demanding.

I find my voice again. “Answer it.”

Her head jerks toward me. “Have you lost your mind?”

“Better to know than wonder,” I say, though my stomach knots so hard it hurts. “If it’s not her, we’ll know. But if it is…” My voice falters. “Then she’s lucid, and she’s reaching for us.”

The buzzing stops. The screen goes black.

Billa exhales shakily—then jerks as the phone lights up again. Kenzi.

This time, she swipes to answer. Holds it on speaker between us.

Silence at first. Then a breath. A voice. Small, tentative. “…Billa?”

Billa’s hand clamps around the phone like she’s afraid it will vanish. “Kenzi? Is it really you? Graham hasn’t let us?—”

“It’s me.” The words are fragile but real. “The doctor let me use my phone. I’m gaining more privileges.”

I can’t breathe. It’s her. Not a recording, not a trick. But Kenzi. Tears prickle my eyes. I didn’t realize how much I missed her until hearing her voice.

Billa’s eyes shine with unshed tears as well. “Where are you?”

“In her office.” Kenzi’s voice trembles. “I don’t have long. But I had to tell you… she’s not what we thought. She’s one of us, a survivor. She’s been building something, and she wants me to help her bring Radley down.”

My pulse spikes. I glance at Billa, who stares at the phone like she’s afraid to blink.

This is real. Kenzi is herself again. And talking to us.

If she’s right—if the doctor is who she says—then maybe we have more than just shadows.

We have a chance.

For a heartbeat, no one speaks. The only sound is Kenzi’s breath on the line.

Billa swallows hard, finding her voice first. “You’re really okay?”

“I’m… managing. Dr. Hanson—Sofia—isn’t hurting me. She’s helping me remember. And she’s documenting everything. She was at a place called North Ridge, Billa. It’s just like Radley. She’s one of us.”

“We’re aware of North Ridge and another one called Willow Glen.”

Kenzi gasps on the other line. “She knows of that one too. It’s all coming together.”

“Good. The more who know, the better. Because we’re going to stop them.” Billa’s eyes blaze with determination, and she leans closer to the phone. “Kenzi, listen to me. I’ve been working with an investigative journalist named Florencia. She was also at Radley. She’s been gathering survivors, building cases, everything. What your doctor’s doing… Florencia’s been doing the same thing.”