I don't fall this time.
The world just... shifts.
The clouds disappear. The golden light fades. Everything blurs and spins and—
I gasp.
I'm back.
Back in the town. Back in Millhaven.
I'm standing in the middle of the street, surrounded by the same medieval buildings, the same cobblestone roads, the same people going about their day.
But something's wrong.
I look around, disoriented. The sun is in the same position as before—high overhead, suggesting midday. The merchant stalls are in the same places. The same people are walking past.
Wait.
The same people.
I see the old man who gave me directions earlier. He's walking down the street, heading in the same direction, wearing the same clothes.
I see the fruit merchant. She's arranging her display, placing apples in the exact same pattern.
I see a group of kids running past, laughing. The same kids. In the same order.
And then I understand.
I haven't just been sent back to the world. I've been sent back in time.
Five minutes, maybe. Right back to when I first arrived. Before I wandered around. Before I met the little girl.
"Holy shit," I breathe.
This is how the respawn works. I don't just come back to life. I go back in time. Back to before I died.
Which means...
I look toward the town square. Toward where I know, in a few minutes, I'll meet a little girl with blonde pigtails and balloons.
A little girl who will stab me.
But this time, I know.
This time, I can avoid her.
I start walking, keeping to the side of the street, watching everyone around me with suspicious eyes. That merchant could be dangerous. That old man could pull a knife. Those kids could be little assassins in disguise.
I don't trust anyone.
I reach the town square and stop, taking a breath.
Okay. I'm back. Five minutes before I died. Which means...
I look around, scanning the crowd.
And then I see her.
The little girl.
She's walking into the square from the same direction as before. Blonde pigtails bouncing with each step. Blue eyes bright and innocent. Three balloons clutched in her small hand—red, yellow, blue.
My stomach drops.
She's coming right toward me.
No. No, she doesn't know me. From her perspective, we've never met. This is the first time.
Right?
She's just looking for a target, and I happen to be here, looking lost and confused.
Right?
Perfect prey.
I should move. Walk away. Get out of the square before she reaches me.
But I'm frozen, watching her approach.
She stops a few feet away, tilting her head and giving me that same innocent smile.
"Mister?" she says, her voice sweet and curious.
My heart is pounding. I know what comes next. Every word. Every movement.
"Are you okay, mister?" she asks. "You look lost."
I open my mouth. Close it. My brain is screaming at me to run, but I'm rooted to the spot.
"I..." I manage to say.
"Oh!" Her face lights up. "I can help! My mama says I'm really good at helping people. I help lost people all the time!"
She beams at me with such genuine-looking innocence.
But I know. I know what's under that smile. I know what's hidden in her dress. I know exactly what happens next.
"That's really nice of you," I hear myself say, the words automatic. "But I think I'll be okay. I just need to—"
Right on cue, a gust of wind blows through the square.
The strings slip from her hand.
"Oh no!" she cries out, her eyes going wide.