The Same Candle Went Out Every Time I Said His Name

My friend passed away unexpectedly, and for months I could not talk about him without feeling strange.

One night, I lit a candle on my desk while looking through old photos of us. I said his name out loud and told him I missed him.

The candle went out immediately.

There was no wind. The window was closed. The flame did not flicker first. It just went out.

I relit it and tried again.

I said his name, and the candle went out a second time.

I know how that sounds. I know candles can behave strangely. But I tested it with other words, other names, even random sentences. Nothing happened.

Only his name.

I stopped after the third time because I did not know if I was being comforted or warned.

I have not lit a candle near his photo since.