Madeline and Lucy spent countless hours in the attic, unraveling the layers of history that clung to the old trunks like cobwebs. Each object they uncovered was a testimony to Lucy’s life—a porcelain doll with a chipped face, a handwritten diary filled with the innocent musings of a girl who had once dreamed of adventure, and a collection of postcards depicting the vibrant world outside the confines of her small town.

As they explored, Lucy began to share more about her life before the bomb fell. “I had a younger brother,” she said one evening as they sorted through a box of letters. “His name was Thomas. He was only six when I died.”

Madeleine’s heart twisted at the thought. “What happened to him?” she asked gently.

Lucy’s expression darkened, the light of her ghostly form flickering slightly. “When the war started, our parents made the difficult decision to send Thomas away to live with our grandparents in a small village in Wales. They thought it would keep him safe, away from the chaos.”

Madeleine’s brow furrowed in thought. “So he didn’t know what happened to you?”

Lucy shook her head, tears glistening in her spectral eyes. “ I’ve always wondered if he remembered me, if he ever thought about me. I’ve watched families come and go, but I’ve never been able to reach out to them.”

Madeleine felt a deep sense of sorrow for Lucy. The bond between siblings was strong, and the thought of being separated in such a tragic way was heart-wrenching. “Do you want me to help you find out what happened to him?” she asked, her voice filled with determination.

Lucy’s eyes sparkled with hope. “If you could, that would mean everything to me. But how? I don’t even know if he’s still alive.”

Madeleine thought for a moment, her mind racing. “We can start by finding more information about him. Maybe there are letters in these boxes that mention him. We could also research your family’s history. I can look up your grandparents in Wales.”

Lucy nodded, a blend of excitement and fear crossing her face. “I’d like that, but what if after all this time he  doesn’t remember me?”

Madeleine reached out her hand, offering comfort. “It doesn’t matter. You deserve to know, and he deserves to know the truth about you. We can do this together.”

With renewed purpose, they dove deeper into the boxes. As they sifted through letters and photographs, Lucy shared stories of her childhood, of her brother's laughter and the mischief they would get into. Madeleine felt as though she were stepping through a portal to another time, living not just through Lucy’s memories, but through the joy that resonated in her words.

After hours of digging, they unearthed a small, faded envelope with the initials "T.M." written in elegant script. Madeleine carefully opened it, revealing a letter addressed to Thomas from their mother. As she read, a sense of urgency flooded through her.

“Lucy, listen to this,” she said, her voice trembling with excitement. “Your mother wrote to Thomas while he was in Wales. She wanted him to know that you loved and missed him and that the whole family would be together again someday, but for some reason it was never sent”

Lucy’s expression grew hopeful. “Do you think he may still be alive?”

Madeleine nodded vigorously. “It’s possible!, this letter could be our way to find him.”

They spent the next few days piecing together Lucy’s past, collecting every scrap of information they could find. With each new discovery, the bond between the two girls deepened, transcending the boundaries of life and death.

Finally, with the address of Lucy’s grandparents in hand, Madeleine knew it was time to take the next step. “I think I maybe able to track down Thomas ,” she said. “I need to go to Wales.”

Lucy’s eyes widened with a mix of excitement and fear. “You really think you can find him?”

Madeleine smiled, her determination unwavering. “I believe I can. You have to trust me, Lucy.”