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?"38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWEmUf263A
"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."38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADBm1S6zoK
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QxmiRYv8I
"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."38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ThLB45YK9
"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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjI0f7fPeG
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PUVmTC3jr
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!"38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXGQ7hNaAT
"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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVMHOIXJ9i
"Do you want me to make anything before you go to bed?" my mother asked. "No, I'm good."38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y4y22INHO
"In the morning, your father and I will be getting settled in the city, we suggest you do the same."
─━━━━━━⊱✿⊰━━━━━━─38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswtuaf6Eef
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRENp32mU1
"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?"38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFsQsFHqqS
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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQs70DWE3w
"Hello! This is 'Belya Cafe'. Go ahead and take a seat, someone will be with you shortly."38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBzXZoaSXM
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."38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3ExWsbut2
"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?"38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpJdSFgYxh
"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?"38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjhcyoHj3P
"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.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd50acnns6H
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!"38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUT9FrF3OK
"Oh, sorry mother! I'll be right over!"38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofYXMkZNCo
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?"38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8sdQprcrK
"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."38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQEZLmP7xS
"She can uh... be quite a handful. If you want anything else, just call me over, okay!"38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj1gEUFks5
"Yeah, thanks."38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8vgWb4hM8
After leaving the cafe, I started exploring the places she recommended to me.38Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ087JHbXjw
