Chapter 5

Maria:

– How am I supposed to live here... when I don't know any one?!

She paused for a moment, then whispered to herself:

– I'll run away.

As she quietly escaped, she collided into someone—Max.

Max:

– Excuse me... who are you?

Maria had her face covered.

Maria:

– I-I'm leaving now.

Max:

– Where ?

Maria:

– That's none of your business!

She hurried away, leaving Max confused and suspicious. He later entered the house Maria had been staying in...

⸻

Max (speaking softly to himself):

– I miss you so much, Mom. Today is my birthday... and the day you died too.

I can't celebrate while you're not here. Every year I wish for just one chance to see you, hug you, tell you how much I miss you.

Is it true... that I'm the reason you died?

Then... why did you carry me in the first place?

Just then, Mirna—the only one who knew that Max often visited this house when he missed his mother—rushed in.

Mirna:

– Max! Max, your father—

Max:

– What happened to him?

Mirna (panting):

– He... he...

Before she could finish, Max ran out and headed home. But as he stepped inside, the house was completely dark. A strange chill crept over him.

Max:

– Dad? Where are you?

Suddenly the lights turned on and a crowd shouted:

Everyone:

– Surprise!!!

John:

– Happy birthday, my son!

Leo:

– Max, my friend ! Happy birthday!

Matthew:

– Happy birthday, bro!

Everyone celebrated Max, and soon after:

Matthew:

– Come on! Time to cut the cake!

He cut it, applause filled the room, and everyone started dancing. But Max sat quietly by himself. His father noticed and approached.

John:

– Max, it's your birthday. Why are you sitting alone? Come on, let's dance!

Max:

– I don't feel want .

John:

– Leo, come get Max. I'll join you both in a moment.

Meanwhile, John went to check on Maria—but she had already left, wandering through the cold streets of France. Lost in her thoughts, her legs gave out and she sat on the ground, crying until she unknowingly drifted to sleep. A girl passing by noticed her.

Julie – a kind-hearted university student around Maria's age, dreaming of becoming a doctor –

Julie:

– Excuse me... is she... is she dead?

Maria (half-asleep):

– Mmm...

Julie:

– Wait, wait—I'll help you.

Julie gently helped her sit on a bench and sat beside her.

Julie:

– What are you doing out here? Alone? This late at night? Where's your family?

Maria:

– I'm alone... here.

Julie:

– What do you mean?

Maria told Julie everything.

Julie:

– Oh my god... I'm so sorry. I'm Julie.

Maria:

– I'm Maria.

Julie:

– It's nice to meet you.

Maria:

– Same...

Julie:

– Do you have a place to stay? Anyone you know here?

Maria:

– I just told you... I have no one.

Julie:

– Then come with me.

Maria:

– Where?

Julie:

– To my home.

Maria:

– But... I don't even know you.

Julie:

– And you're planning to stay here? Alone? In the middle of the night? In a foreign city? And you're a girl?

Maria (nervously):

– A-alright... I'll come with you.

Julie (smiling):

– Were you scared?

Maria:

– Y-yes...

Julie:

– Then let's go.

Maria:

– Can I say something?

Julie:

– Of course! We're friends now, right?

Julie held out her hand.

Maria took it, smiling faintly.

Maria:

– You can say that.

Julie:

– So? What is it?

Maria:

– I'm hungry.

Julie (laughing softly):

– So that's why you were so scared too?

Maria:

– Y-yes...

Julie:

– Then let's eat! I'm starving too!

-

To be continued

-

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