Taken and blood in the shadows.

Life is so unpredictable. I should have been grateful, but now I'm left with nothing but this crushing guilt.

Mia, change now! her mother demanded, her voice sharp as she tossed some dry clothes toward her without even sparing a glance. Her hands trembled slightly, betraying the frustration simmering beneath the surface.

Mia caught the clothes and hesitated for a moment, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. She looked down at the floor, her shoulders slumping, before slowly making her way to the bathroom. Once inside, she shut the door firmly behind her, leaning against it for a moment as she tried to steady her breath.

A few minutes later, the door creaked open again. Hey, Mia called out, her voice wavering between anger and desperation. Can you please help us? We're heading back home. Can you take us? Her eyes pleaded with the inspector, even as her tone struggled to sound composed.

There was a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes, but the edge of frustration still lingered in her voice. Her hands gripped the edge of the doorframe tightly, knuckles white, as if holding on for stability.

Yes, I can, the inspector responded simply, his gaze softening as he noticed her turmoil. Let me get the car ready. Meet me in the parking lot of the hotel. He nodded briefly, then turned and walked out, his movements brisk and purposeful, leaving Mia standing in the doorway, her hands slowly unclenching as she watched him go.

Mama, we can go now, Mia said quietly, her voice trembling with guilt as she reached out to help her mother to her feet. But her mother brushed her hands away, standing up on her own with a stiff, almost defiant motion.

If you want my forgiveness, make sure you change, her mother snapped, her voice cold and sharp. She didn't look at Mia as she spoke, her eyes filled with anger, her jaw clenched. Without another word, she turned sharply and moved toward the door, her steps quick and determined.

Mia stood frozen, her heart breaking at her mother's harsh words. Her chest tightened, and she struggled to breathe, her hands shaking at her sides. After a moment, she forced herself to follow, her legs heavy with guilt. She scanned the hallway, but her mother was nowhere to be seen. Mama is really upset, she thought, panic rising within her. L should ask for forgiveness, but... A crushing realization hit her: Mama left me alone, even when I'm in the wrong... why now?

Tears filled her eyes, blurring her vision. She wiped them away, but they kept coming, hot and stinging, full of regret and frustration. Her whole body trembled with the weight of her emotions.

Meanwhile, just around the corner, her mother felt a cold, creeping terror as she sensed someone behind her. She tried to turn around, but before she could react, a stranger emerged from the shadows, gripping her tightly. She screamed for help, her voice echoing in the empty hallway, but Mia, lost in her own guilt and turmoil, didn't hear her cries.

Her mother's heart raced as she struggled against the stranger's hold, her eyes wide with fear. But the stranger was too strong, and before she could break free, she felt herself losing consciousness. The last thing she saw was the hallway spinning around her as she was dragged into a nearby room, the door closing silently behind them.

Mia, oblivious to what had just happened, continued down the hallway. She had a nagging feeling that something was wrong, a chill that ran down her spine, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was. No, it's nothing, she reassured herself. I'll see Mama and say sorry. She forced a smile and quickened her pace, her footsteps echoing through the corridor as she headed to the parking lot, eager to make things right, unaware of the danger that had just befallen her mother.

Mia spotted the familiar fabric of her mother's clothing, catching a glimpse as two men carried what seemed to be a rolled-up carpet. But Mia's instincts screamed that something was wrong—she didn't buy their story for a second. They walked past Alex, and Mia's heart pounded as she followed, her breath quickening with worry.

As she trailed behind them, the carpet slipped from their grip and unraveled slightly, revealing her mother's lifeless body inside. Mia's eyes widened in horror, her blood running cold. A piercing scream tore from her throat. Mother! No!

She lunged forward, her legs pumping as she sprinted toward them, but she couldn't close the distance fast enough. Who are you? she cried out, her voice shaking with terror and desperation. Don't take her away! Please! Her voice cracked as tears streamed down her face.

But the men moved swiftly, dragging her mother's body with a chilling indifference. Mia's heart shattered as she realized she was too late. Why? Why didn't I protect her? she sobbed, her hands clenched into fists, shaking with a mix of anger, guilt, and despair.

She pushed herself harder, her entire body aching with the effort, but it was no use. They were slipping out of reach, and her mother was being taken away. This is all my fault, she whispered to herself, her chest heaving with guilt. I should have been there... I should have done something. Her tears blurred her vision, but she refused to stop, even as her legs threatened to give out.

Finally, she stumbled to a halt, her knees hitting the ground as she gasped for breath. Her body trembled uncontrollably, wracked with worry and sadness. Mama, I'm so sorry, she whispered, her voice barely audible through her sobs. If only I had been stronger... if only I hadn't let this happen.

Her hands gripped the earth beneath her, fingers digging into the dirt as she tried to ground herself in the face of overwhelming guilt. She felt as though the weight of her failure was crushing her, suffocating her under the unbearable grief of losing her mother in such a terrible way.

"Wait, I can still help catch them, but... what can I do?" Mia muttered to herself, her mind racing with fear and desperation. Suddenly, she snapped out of it. Hey, Inspector John! she screamed, sprinting toward the parking lot, her heart pounding with dread.

As she entered the parking lot, her eyes were immediately drawn to a horrifying sight—a trail of blood leading to the inspector, slumped against a car. The once mundane parking lot now looked like a scene from a nightmare, with blood smeared across the pavement. Mia's breath caught in her throat as terror surged through her. She stumbled forward, her legs shaky, her mind screaming at her to act.

Alex, still reeling from everything that had happened so fast, was left confused and unsure. But when he saw Mia racing toward the lot, a surge of urgency hit him. At least I can help her, he thought, and quickly started running after her.

Mama! Mama's been taken! Mia cried out, but her voice faltered as she took in the scene. Her eyes locked onto the inspector, lying motionless, blood pooling around him. No... no, this can't be happening, she whispered, panic gripping her as she realized how badly he was hurt.

With trembling hands, she reached the inspector's side. Why? Why today? I can't lose you too! she cried, her voice breaking as she tore her dress in half, not caring about her own exposure. She pressed the fabric against the inspector's wound, trying desperately to stop the bleeding. Her hands shook violently, her mind a whirlwind of terror and anger. Help! Someone, please! she screamed, her voice echoing in the parking lot as tears streamed down her face.

Alex finally caught up, and his face paled at the sight. Without hesitation, he lifted the wounded inspector into his arms and rushed him to the car. Stay with me, Inspector! he urged, his voice thick with worry. He drove off, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel, racing against time to reach the hospital.

When they arrived, the hospital was a frenzy of activity, with doctors and nurses moving swiftly through the halls. Mia stumbled in after them, her clothes torn and blood-stained, her eyes wide with fear and guilt. The beeping of machines and the frantic pace of the hospital only heightened her sense of dread.

As they wheeled the inspector into surgery, Mia was left pacing outside the operating room, her heart pounding in her chest. Her body trembled with anxiety, her mind replaying the horrific scene over and over. I should have done something more, she thought, her fists clenching with a mix of guilt and anger.

Her eyes, red and swollen from crying, burned with a new resolve. I will not let them get away with this, she vowed silently. I will find those responsible, and they will pay.

She kept pacing, each step fueling her determination. The fear and sadness in her chest were slowly giving way to a deep, burning anger. She swore to herself that this was not the end—she would protect her loved ones and make those who hurt them face the consequences, no matter the cost.