what's with her

Susan had a rough week, working overtime every day. When she finally had a week off, she was called in because someone else took sick leave.

As she was about to leave, she noticed it was already past midnight. "I better book an Uber before it's too late," she thought. Glancing at the clock in her office, she remembered how her mood had soured earlier when she had to cancel a family trip.

Maria, her colleague and friend, approached her. "Finally done, Maria?" Susan asked, smiling.

Maria looked hesitant. "I got a call from my boyfriend; he's picking me up."

Susan took a moment to reply. "Yeah, go ahead. I've already booked an Uber."

"Sorry, Susan, I'll make it up to you tomorrow," Maria said, still conflicted. She was meeting her boyfriend after a week but didn't want to leave Susan alone. Seeing Susan's reassuring nod, she sighed in relief.

Both women hurriedly packed their bags. As they headed for the exit, Susan saw someone in formal wear standing near the gate. "Your boyfriend is here. Go ahead; I'll see you tomorrow," Susan said.

Maria ran towards the person, who was waiting for her on a bike. They both got on and drove off, Maria waving goodbye. Susan checked her phone to see how long the Uber would take. "Now where is the Uber? Did he just cancel on me? Damn him," she cursed, finding no available cabs and realizing her phone was about to die.

"Great, just my luck today," Susan murmured, glancing around. The area was deserted, with closed shops and stalls. Remembering a cab station 15 minutes away, she started towards it. A chill ran down her spine as she recalled the rumors about that road—said to be haunted. The road looked normal during the day but seemed ominous at night, shrouded in darkness from overhanging trees.

Despite her unease, she convinced herself it was just superstition. "It's not that far; let's just go," she told herself. She walked, trying to distract herself with her phone, but the sense of something being off persisted.

Ding! The sudden sound made her freeze. It was a text from Maria: "It's been almost an hour"

"I should reply to her, so she doesn't stay up worrying about me," Susan thought, typing a quick message to Maria: "Great, on my way home."

"Wait, it's been almost an hour—why aren't you home yet?" Maria asked.

"That's strange. It's only been 15 minutes," Susan thought. Before she could respond, her phone died. Her mood shifted as the atmosphere grew heavier. "Calm down, Susan. Maria's just exaggerating."

She felt increasingly fatigued, and the silence around her became oppressive. The sound of footsteps that weren't hers made her heart race. She glanced behind but saw no one. The road seemed interminable, and doubts about the rumors began to cloud her mind. She quickened her pace, her anxiety escalating.

In desperation, she broke into a run but twisted her ankle and fell, hitting her head. "I have to go," she thought through the pain. As she struggled to move, a blurred figure approached. "Who is this?" she tried to ask, but her voice was barely audible.

Hours later, a newspaper delivery boy found her lying on the road. "What the hell? Why is she sleeping here?" he muttered, approaching her cautiously.

"Hey, lady, are you okay?" he called out.

Susan woke up and saw the boy. Panicking, she screamed, "No, no!"

The boy, frightened, backed away. Realizing it was just a delivery boy, Susan calmed down and looked around. It was daylight. "What time is it?" she asked.

"It's 4:30 in the morning," the boy replied, still keeping his distance.

Susan took a moment to collect herself. Her ankle throbbed, and her head ached, but she managed to stand up.

Susan, now coming to grips with the situation, took a moment to regain her composure. The pain in her ankle was sharp but manageable, and the dull ache in her head was starting to fade. She looked around, realizing the sun was just beginning to rise and that it was much earlier than she had initially thought. Panic was replaced by a disoriented calm as she tried to piece together the fragments of her memory.

The blaring sound of a car horn broke through her thoughts. A cab had pulled up next to her, and the driver's concerned gaze met hers. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion as he observed her standing alone in the middle of the road.

Susan didn't answer immediately. She slid into the cab, gave her address, and stared out the window, feeling a strange detachment from reality. After a 20-minute ride, she reached home, paid the driver, and walked to her front yard.

"I'm home, Mom, Dad. Where are you?" she called out. Entering the house, she took a left into the hall and, seeing no one, continued to the kitchen.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I got stuck at work, and my phone died," she said, looking towards the sofa. She then went into the kitchen, talking to an empty room. "I know, Mom, but my phone died. I promise I'll be careful. I'll freshen up and then cook something good."

Susan went upstairs, changed into comfortable clothes, and lay down on her bed. She closed her eyes, exhausted.

Rita, Susan's neighbor, said to her son, "Did you see Susan? She just got home. She should rest."

"I saw her," Sam replied disinterestedly.

"Call her and invite her over for breakfast," Rita suggested, looking at her son.

"You know she won't come," Sam said with a hint of frustration.

Rita sighed and replied, "I know. But ever since she lost her parents, I Worry About her."