My father drove into a solitary gas station. We were just a few miles from Selonika, and this spot appeared to be quite deserted. The sign flickered gently, and the cool night air sent shivers through my delicate frame as it always did. "Are you wanting anything while we're in there, Echo?"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rML6Ftbad
"No, I'm staying out here."
He switched off the engine, and my parents headed inside together. I shut my eyes for what seemed like just a second, but when I opened them, an hour had slipped by. "Are they really still in there?" I exclaimed, swinging the car door open and stepping onto the pavement. "I can't believe this."
I approached the front door of the station, but it refused to open. "What? How can it be locked? This doesn’t feel right. Maybe I should try the back door instead."18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkjlzIK9zh
I scaled the nearby fence, snagging my hoodie in the process. Climbing wasn’t my strong suit, and as soon as I reached the top, I tumbled down to the other side. As I got back on my feet, a cat leaped out of the dumpster nearby.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofchoaRqJT
"Appreciate the assist," I quipped, turning the handle of the back door. "Of course, it’s locked too. There’s no way they could still be inside."18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHat8iOwA5
"Hey!" I called out, my voice echoing into the void. "Is anyone here?" The only response was an overwhelming silence. I scanned my surroundings, noting the towering trees that loomed over me.
Despite the absurdity of it all, I stepped into the forest. The night was pitch black, and each tree appeared to be a shadowy figure lurking in the darkness. My imagination began to run wild; I felt I was nearing something significant, a shape slowly revealing itself through the thicket.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmCH1nxp2K
The shrill wail of a siren cut through the air, reaching my ears just as I was about to arrive. In the distance, a watchtower loomed, its silhouette stark against the sky. I sprinted toward it, my heart racing with the hope of finding someone who could guide me to my parents.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3pFa5ETNa
I ascended the winding staircase, each step echoing in the silence. With a swift turn of the handle, I flung the door open. Inside, a chilling sight greeted me — several lifeless bodies sprawled across the floor. Panic surged through me, and I stumbled backward, only to feel a long, serpentine tongue wrap around my throat, lifting me off the ground.
Just as the last remnants of life began to fade from my being, the unmistakable sound of a car door creaking open jolted me from my deep sleep. "Echo!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX5JBzvW5i
"What just happened? Where am I?"
"You must have dozed off while we were inside. We were only away for about five minutes. Looks like those nightmares are haunting you again."
My father chuckled and threw me a soda. "Here! Next time we're taking you inside with us."
"Thanks." I sipped my drink, attempting to steady my breathing. My father revved the engine again, and we continued our journey until we arrived at our new house in the city.
Upon our arrival, I took in the sight of the house. Though it was small, it had all the things we needed. Since it was really late, the whole neighborhood was quiet as we began to unpack.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8eizuZzjX
"Do you want me to make anything before you go to bed?" my mother asked. "No, I'm good."18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWtJqz6kWQ
"In the morning, your father and I will be getting settled in the city, we suggest you do the same."
─━━━━━━⊱✿⊰━━━━━━─18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsy3gW9ePm
Morning arrived, and I found myself wandering through the unfamiliar corners of my new home. A sound drifted in from outside—nothing alarming, but rather peaceful. I swung open the bedroom window and caught sight of a group of children joyfully kicking a ball back and forth. The game they were engaged in was a mystery to me, yet it reminded me of the carefree moments I used to share with Kel.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPOMTrIhk6
"Is this another dream?" I stumbled back, trying to reconnect with reality. I hurried downstairs, checking the house I merely glanced over yesterday. My parents weren't home, and I faintly remember why.
Once I finished all my tasks for the day, I eased my way out the door. A cyclist whizzed by, hurrying off to some unknown destination with a cart brimming with papers. "What era am I living in?" I muttered to myself. "Was that meant to be the paperboy?"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mgNS9KLRc
The nearest hotspot appeared to be a charming little cafe... or perhaps a bakery? It felt like a delightful blend of the two. As I entered, the bell chimed, and I was welcomed by a middle-aged woman with flowing, pink hair.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqR8ML6Gg9
"Hello! This is 'Belya Cafe'. Go ahead and take a seat, someone will be with you shortly."18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvf0lVrQLSW
Her happiness felt almost unsettling, to be honest. I settled into a seat at the back and glanced at the menu laid out before me. "Just as I suspected. It’s a cafe and a bakery combined. All they offer is sugar and caffeine."18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS8SNlbgGH
"Oh, hello there!" I glanced up from the menu to see who was interrupting me. For a moment, I nearly confused her with the person who had greeted me upon my arrival; their looks were strikingly similar. "You're new around here, are you? I know practically everyone in Selonika."
"Uh, yeah. I just moved here, yesterday night."
"I'm Mia Belya! I help my mother with her bakery, and you are?"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCFSDmFCJ5
"Echo Raine. Uh... are you an employee here or-"
"Oh right, whoops! What were you wanting to order exactly?"
"Just a green tea."
She returned a moment later with my green tea and took a seat directly across from me. "Do you need something?" I asked, somewhat politely. "Well, someone needs to teach you how to get around the neighborhood."
"You're going to quit your shift to do that?"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1oVJK5Hne
"No silly, I have a map!" She spread out the map and her finger darted at various spots. She spoke in a whirlwind of excitement, highlighting a new location with each passing second.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWFwoOxfb7
I couldn't keep up with her, and my head felt like it was going to explode. "Mia!" her mother shouted. "Leave that poor customer alone. You're not even supposed to be on break yet!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZoqh9n37C
"Oh, sorry mother! I'll be right over!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1OEViQDSq
So, they were related. Her mother walked over shortly after to apologize. "She always acts like this around new people. Were you looking for somewhere to go after this?"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtFVFEcRyr
"Is there any place you recommend?"
"Well, the central park is the best place to go, if you're looking to make friends at least. I assume you're still in school like she is, so I can point you there as well."
"That should do for now. Your daughter was attempting to give me a full-on crash course about the city map."18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2Ozqw0UI3
"She can uh... be quite a handful. If you want anything else, just call me over, okay!"18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXacSwPKdL
"Yeah, thanks."18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwb6SPfEPP
After leaving the cafe, I started exploring the places she recommended to me.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDVdNIX3fW
