Fractured Promises

Chapter 23: Shadows and Silence

LILY

Lily’s day had begun like any other—the hum of early morning rounds, scanning patient charts, exchanging clipped conversations with colleagues. The routine was a comfort, predictable and steady. Yet beneath the surface, there lingered a restlessness. A longing for something beyond sterile halls and the relentless rhythm of duty.

It was during a short break, over lukewarm coffee, that Alina approached her. Nervous energy clung to her, as always, but her eyes gleamed with something else. Excitement. Hope.

"There's this old building," Alina began, her voice a whisper as if sharing a secret. "It’s abandoned, forgotten. But beautiful in its own way. I thought of taking some photos there. Capturing... I don’t know. The beauty of decay, maybe? Want to come?"

Lily blinked, the offer catching her off guard. Her first instinct was to decline. There were always responsibilities, always another shift, another task demanding her time. But something about Alina’s invitation stirred her.

Spontaneity. Adventure. Two things she hadn't tasted in too long.

"I don't know," Lily said, biting her lip. "I have an early shift the day after."

Alina's face fell slightly, but she caught herself, masking the disappointment with a forced smile. "Of course. I understand."

But Lily hesitated, her gaze dropping to her coffee. When had life become so... confined? When was the last time she let herself be free, even for a few hours?

"Alright," she said softly, surprising even herself. "I'll come."

Alina's grin was immediate and bright. "Really? Great! We'll go in the morning. It’s quiet then. Safer too."

Lily nodded, her heart fluttering in her chest. There was excitement there, but fear too. Fear of stepping outside the structure she'd built around herself. Fear of letting go, even briefly.

But maybe that was exactly why she needed to do it.

That night, as she lay in bed, she thought about the adventure ahead. About forgotten places and captured beauty. About what it meant to be young and alive and free, even if only for a moment.

And she dared to hope it would be worth it.

The morning dawned calm, cloaking Lily in a deceptive serenity.

Golden sunlight streamed through her window, pooling across the simple wooden floors of her modest bedroom.

She stretched lazily, savouring the rare luxury of a morning without urgent demands or looming deadlines.

Today felt different. Light. Full of promise.

She dressed simply, tying her hair back, and stepped into the small kitchen. The scent of warm bread and spices greeted her, mingling with laughter that echoed through the narrow space.

Clara stood by the stove, humming softly as she prepared breakfast. A spread of toast, eggs, and fruit covered the table, a rare feast.

"You didn't have to go all out," Lily said with a grin, reaching for a slice of toast.

Clara shrugged, her eyes bright. "It's been too long since we all sat down together. I thought I'd make it special."

"Well, it's perfect," Lily said, biting into the warm bread. She turned to where her youngest sister, Mariam, sat, stuffing her face with strawberries.

"Slow down, Mariam," Lily teased. "You're eating like there's a prize at the end."

Mariam grinned, cheeks puffed. "The prize is more strawberries."

Lily chuckled “kindly leave some for the rest of us” and turned to her niece. "And how's my Hope this morning?" She tickled the little girl's side, drawing a burst of giggles.

Hope clung to her arm. "I’m good, Auntie Lily! Mom says we can go to the park later!"

"That's wonderful," Lily said, ruffling her hair. "You’ll have to tell me all about it."

Her mother, Ruth, sat near the window, the morning sun caught the edges of her face, softening the lines of past struggles.

"How are you feeling today, Mum?" Lily asked gently, her tone laced with hope.

Ruth smiled, a look of quiet strength in her eyes. "Better, now that Clara is home. And now that I can breathe without doctors hovering."

"Remission looks good on you," Clara said with a playful nudge.

Lily's heart warmed. It was moments like these that made every hardship worth it. Moments where laughter felt natural, where love was effortless.

"I'm glad we're together," Lily murmured, her gaze sweeping over her family.

They spent the morning talking, sharing stories, teasing one another over shared memories. It was simple, ordinary, but extraordinary in its joy.

And though Lily's mind wandered to the outing with Alina—the thrill of doing something spontaneous, of exploring forgotten beauty—she held onto this moment. This warmth.

Because the world outside could wait. For now, she was content.

She rose with a quiet determination, unaware of the darkness the day would bring.

She would be fighting fear, anxiety, and the overwhelming weight of regret.

---

They shared coffee at a local café, laughter bubbling over shared stories and mutual dreams.

Alina teased Lily about her mysterious smile whenever Stanley's name was mentioned.

Lily deflected, brushing off the notion, but her mind lingered on the man she couldn't forget. The air was light, filled with the hope of a simple adventure.

Alina sipping on her caramel latte, her usual bright smile in place. "You ready for a little adventure?" she teased.

Lily chuckled, feeling a rare sense of excitement. "I think so. Just don't get me lost."

They walked to the abandoned building on the outskirts of the city, a place once thriving but now a skeleton of its former self.

The walls stood silent, crumbling under years of neglect, the atmosphere heavy with forgotten stories.

When they entered the abandoned building, curiosity took over.

It started out harmless. The structure, though worn, exuded a haunting beauty.

They explored cautiously, stepping over crumbling bricks and admiring faded murals.

At first, the building was eerily beautiful—its faded murals whispering stories of a forgotten past. Dust swirled around them, disturbed by their laughter and careful footsteps.

“This place is incredible,” Alina murmured, lifting her camera. The click of the shutter echoed in the empty hall.

Lily nodded, tracing a hand over the peeling paint. “It feels… frozen in time.”

The silence was comforting until it wasn't.

Then, a sound—so faint she almost missed it. A low groan, like wood straining under a weight it could no longer hold.

She hesitated.

“Did you hear that?” Alina asked, lowering her camera.

Another groan.

A creaking sound, sharp and ominous, shattered their ease.

A shift in the floor beneath them, the cracking sound of wood giving way, and the world tilted, plunging them into darkness.

Lily's scream was swallowed by darkness as the floor collapsed beneath their feet. Dust choked her throat.

Pain shot through her ankle as she hit the hard concrete below. Alina groaned beside her, her face pale and lined with fear.

Panic set in.

Dust choked the air, and debris rained from above.

They landed hard; bodies jarred by the fall. Fear gripped them, stark and cold. The walls felt like they were closing in, the air heavy with impending doom.

Lily's mind raced. Was this it? Would anyone even notice they were gone?

They were trapped.