"They don’t have to believe us," a younger version of Elias replied from the driver’s seat. "We have the video."
It was a ghost of a file—a recording of a memory that had been deleted from his mind, leaving only a digital footprint that shouldn't exist. He hit play again, but this time, the video wouldn't open. The file name flickered once, then changed to: Video_2026-04-28_at_93027_PM.mp4. Today’s date. Tonight’s time. Video_2022-05-27_at_93027_PMmp4
Elias stared at his monitor in the present day. He remembered that drive, but he didn't remember the light. He didn't remember the violet sky. And most importantly, he didn't remember Sarah ever getting out of the car that night. He looked at the file size: "They don’t have to believe us," a younger