Hidden Truths

Alex sat on the edge of his bed, the weight of the night pressing down on him like a dense fog. Sleep eluded him, replaced instead by the haunting image of Mia—the bloodied clothes she wore, the frantic look in her eyes, and the way she seemed like a ghost trapped between two worlds. It was as if a part of her had died that night, yet she was still walking, shouting for help.

Mia, he whispered into the silence of his room, his voice barely above a breath. Is this real you? 

He remembered the first time he laid eyes on her—her laughter, the way her eyes sparkled with mischief, and the warmth of her presence that felt like home. But now, all he could see were the remnants of a nightmare, a shattering of the image he had built in his mind. How could she hide such darkness beneath her vibrant exterior? How could he have fallen for someone who seemed to wear a mask so expertly?

His heart ached with confusion and betrayal. He had searched for her, scoured the town, and even ventured into the shadows where she once was. Yet, she remained elusive, a will-o'-the-wisp, always just out of reach. 

Suddenly, a sound broke through the haze of his thoughts—a voice calling out, distant but familiar. Mia! he shouted, desperation lacing his words. But the silence swallowed his plea, leaving him alone with his heavy heart.

Meanwhile, outside of town, Mia found herself caught in dark night. As she slowed her car near the main road, she heard voices rising in anger from the depths of the forest. Curiosity piqued, she stepped out, drawn toward the commotion. 

There they were—two figures grappling in the shadows, their faces illuminated by the flickering light of the moon. Inspector John, his expression a mask of fury, confronted another man who bore an uncanny resemblance to him. Mia's heart raced as she took a step closer, only to recoil in shock. 

Is this some kind of twisted joke? she laughed, a hint of hysteria threading through her voice. Two inspectors? Am I losing my mind?

But her laughter quickly faded as the realization set in. This was no mere coincidence. The tension crackled in the air, and she felt the chill of fear creeping up her spine. The two men were locked in a battle that seemed to transcend the physical; it was a clash of ideologies, of familial bonds torn asunder.

I'm your brother, and you always do as you please! John shouted, his voice carrying the weight of years of resentment. How dare you agree to Mia's mission? Do you want her to die?

Paul, the other inspector, brushed past John, his focus shifting toward Mia's car parked nearby. Wait, John! I feel we're not alone, he warned, a sense of foreboding settling over him.

Shut up! Paul barked, but the warning came too late. John lunged at Paul delivering a punch that sent him reeling. The chaos escalated, and Mia's phone lit up, casting a glow that drew Paul's attention.

See? I told you we're not alone! Paul shouted, racing toward the light as Mia's heart raced with panic. She knew she had to act fast. With a swift motion, she started her engine, flooding the area with blinding light. 

Mia's heart raced as she peeled away, leaving John on the ground, still recovering from the shock. Paul, however, was quick to recover, jumping into his car and speeding after her, fury etched across his face. 

Why does everyone want to kill me? John muttered to himself, frustration boiling over. Damn you, Paul!

On the road, Mia's instincts kicked in. She glanced in her rearview mirror, calculating the distance between her and the car that pursued her. As she joined the main road, she turned off her headlights, hoping to blend into the darkness. The car behind her continued, oblivious to her ruse, following a decoy that was not her.

Mia parked in the shadows, her breath hitching in her throat. She could see Paul's car speeding past, and her heart sank as she recalled the moments she and Hara had begged him to reveal his true self. He had always worn a mask, both literally and figuratively, shrouded in secrets that now threatened to consume them all.

Paul, how long were you going to hide it? she whispered to herself, the weight of her emotions crashing over her like a tidal wave. 

Meanwhile, Inspector John, having regained his composure, spotted the fleeting lights in the distance. He knew Mia's driving patterns; he could sense her fear. Mia! he called out, his voice echoing through the night. 

And as Alex sat in his room, the echoes of his own thoughts in his mind, a reminder that sometimes, the people we love carry hidden burdens, and the truth can be far more dangerous than the lies we tell ourselves.

Why do you always change?

What is the real you?

Should I wait for you Alex 

Alex it's me your sister. Why are you talking to yourself?! Nawe asjed Alex with worry in her voice