In the Shadow Of Memory

Chapter 10

Mia woke up to the disorienting sight of an empty room scattered with boxes, their labels hastily written in black marker. The sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting long shadows that seemed to mirror her sense of uncertainty. As she stretched, she was reminded of the daunting task ahead: unpacking the boxes scattered around her new apartment. But that would have to wait—she had a university course to attend in an hour.
As Mia sat down for breakfast, the quiet of her new apartment was interrupted by the sharp ring of her phone. Surprised, she reached for it, her thoughts already drifting to the detective's investigation.

"Hello?" she answered, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Mia, it's Detective Jonathan," came the familiar voice. "I need the location of the barn you mentioned. I think I might have a lead."

Mia's heart quickened. "It's on the edge of town, just past the old mill. You'll find it by a small dirt road."

"Got it. Thanks for the information. I'll let you know if I find anything," Jonathan said before ending the call.

Mia placed her phone down, feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The detective's call had disrupted her morning routine, but it also reminded her of the delicate balance she was trying to maintain—juggling her new life with the ongoing mystery of Mason's disappearance.

Daisy walked into the kitchen, looking tired but managing a smile when she noticed Mia up so early. "Dang, why so early?" she asked with a yawn.

"I've got a few plans with the photographers," Daisy replied, stretching. "We're taking some pictures for the upcoming event, and I'll need to post them on Instagram. So, after university, don't wait for me after class."

Mia returned the smile, understanding her friend's busy schedule.

As the day progressed, the morning light gradually shifted to the warm hues of the evening. Mia's day at the hotel was anything but easy. Working as a housekeeper, she spent hours cleaning room after room, each task more draining than the last. The extra rooms she had to cover meant more beds to make, more surfaces to scrub, and more wear on her already tired body.

The work was relentless, and by the time her shift neared its end, every muscle in her body ached. Her hands were rough from cleaning solutions, and the repetitive motions had left her feeling utterly spent. Despite the exhaustion, she pushed through, knowing that soon she'd be heading home.

Finally, with the last room cleaned and the day's work behind her, Mia left the hotel. The evening air was cool and crisp, a sharp contrast to the stifling warmth inside the hotel. As she walked, she found herself eager to get home—her apartment was only a five-minute walk away, and the thought of relaxing in her own space was the only thing keeping her on her feet.

But as she made her way down the quiet street, something felt off. The streetlights cast long shadows, and an uneasy feeling crept up her spine. Mia couldn't shake the sensation that someone was watching her. She tried to dismiss it as paranoia, but the feeling only grew stronger.

She glanced around, her eyes scanning the dimly lit street. At first, she saw nothing out of the ordinary—just empty sidewalks and parked cars. But then, in the corner of her vision, she caught sight of a figure standing under a distant streetlight. They were still, almost too still, watching her.

A cold shiver ran through her. She quickened her pace, trying to stay calm, but her heart pounded in her chest. Every instinct told her to run, but she forced herself to walk briskly, her eyes darting around to make sure she wasn't being followed.

The figure didn't move, but the sense of being watched was suffocating. Each step felt heavier than the last as she neared her apartment. The short walk that normally felt so familiar now seemed endless.

Finally, Mia reached her building, practically sprinting the last few steps to the entrance. She fumbled with her keys, her hands trembling, and rushed inside. The door closed behind her with a reassuring click, but her heart didn't stop racing.

Breathing heavily, she leaned against the door, trying to shake the feeling that still clung to her. Was someone really watching her? Or was her mind playing tricks after a long, exhausting day? Safe inside, Mia tried to convince herself it was just her imagination, but deep down, she knew something wasn't right.

The girls glanced at Mia, confused by her panicked expression. Tanya and Daisy were sitting at the table, surrounded by textbooks and notebooks, flipping through pages and taking notes. They exchanged a look before inviting Mia to join them, and Tanya got up to bring her a glass of water.

"Girl, why do you look like you ran all the way from work?" Tanya asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

Mia let out a nervous laugh, trying to brush off the unsettling feeling she had experienced on her way home. "I did, actually," she replied, forcing a smile to hide the anxiety still lingering in her chest. She dropped off her bag by the door and trudged over to the kitchen table where they sat...

The apartment felt unusually quiet, and Mia couldn't shake the discomfort, so she quickly changed the subject. "Hey, what's up with your boyfriend, Tanya? You never finished your story from yesterday..."

Tanya's expression shifted from concern to exasperation as she rolled her eyes. "My ex literally came to my job, bought a coffee—with flowers in hand—and then headed off to another date. Like he literally was begging me last night on the phone call to get back together..."

Mia's eyes widened in surprise. "Dang, this generation just gets worse," she said, shaking her head in disbelief.

"That's why I don't prefer dating during University..." Daisy sighed. "Grades get slippery real fast and he makes a deal that you barely spent time with him!" She rolled her eyes remembering the last relationship. "While other girls fall for them, and then cant get over them."

Tanya sighed with a red face, clearly frustrated. "Tell me about it. My ex? I'd still hit that—only with a bat or a car!" She laughed, the humor in her voice not quite masking the irritation she felt.

Daisy chuckled, shaking her head. "You're savage, Tanya."

Mia couldn't help but smile, grateful for the light-hearted moment after the tension she'd felt earlier. Still, as the conversation continued, she found herself drifting in and out, unable to fully shake off the lingering unease.

"How about you, Mia?" Tanya asked, her eyes curious. "You've never really shared much about your dating history..."

Mia hesitated, glancing between Tanya and Daisy. She had always kept her past private, never mentioning the pain of losing Mason, the bullying she endured, or how difficult school had been for her. It wasn't that she feared their judgment—she knew they wouldn't mock her or look down on her—but the memories were still too raw, too painful to revisit. Especially after Mason's disappearance, she found herself running from relationships, pushing away any guy who tried to get close.

"My relationship never lasted that long either," she mumbled. "They were to toxic, I don't go along with boys." Mia lied, she was never in a relationship with a guy.

Tanya raised an eyebrow, sensing Mia's discomfort but choosing not to press further. Instead, she chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Tell me about it. Guys can be so strange sometimes. One minute they're all sweet and attentive, and the next, they're pulling away without any explanation."

Daisy nodded in agreement, her face lighting up with amusement. "Oh, don't get me started! I once dated a guy who would send me the weirdest texts in the middle of the night—like random facts about space or animals. It was cute at first, but then it just got... bizarre."

Mia managed a small smile, grateful for the change in topic and continued lying. "That's nothing. I had this one guy who would disappear for days and then suddenly show up with some ridiculous excuse, like his phone fell in a river or he got lost in the woods."

Tanya burst out laughing. "Did he really expect you to believe that? Guys are so clueless sometimes!"

"Exactly!" Daisy added, shaking her head. "And don't even get me started on the ones who act like they're doing you a favor by just being in a relationship."

Mia nodded along, trying to keep the mood light, but inside, she couldn't help but feel the weight of her own experiences. The conversation was a welcome distraction, yet it also reminded her of how much she kept hidden from her friends—how much they didn't know about the real her.

"Yeah, some guys are just... weird," Mia said, her voice trailing off as she stared down at her drink, the laughter of her friends echoing around her.

Tanya glanced at Mia, noticing the distant look in her eyes. She placed a hand on Mia's shoulder, squeezing it gently. "Hey, it's okay. We've all had our share of bad experiences. But you know, we've got each other now."

Mia looked up, meeting Tanya's reassuring gaze. "Yeah, we do," she replied softly, her heart warming slightly at the thought. Despite everything, she knew she wasn't alone anymore.