chapter 7
714 Words
The week didn’t slow down, it swallowed Mira whole.
School became harder to focus in. She was constantly looking over her shoulder.
Tyler had made himself a permanent problem, popping up too often and smiling too much.
And Dylan? He was worse.
By Thursday, the cracks finally split wide open.
It started at school.
Mira was grabbing a drink from the vending machine when Tyler appeared beside her like a ghost with cologne.
“You’re not from around here, are you?” he said, smiling like they were friends. “You’ve got that… haunted, mysterious vibe. Like a runaway bride or a Netflix assassin.”
Mira tried to keep her voice steady. “You should stop talking.”
“Oh, feisty. You like bad boys?”
“No,” she snapped, grabbing her drink. “I like people who mind their business.”
He blocked her path slightly with his arm. Not touching but close. Too close.
“I could mind yours. I’m good at digging into things.”
She looked at him then, expression cold. “Try it. You’ll regret it.”
A slow grin crawled across his face.
“I love a challenge.”
She shoved past him and walked fast, not stopping until she was outside in the cold air, lungs tight.
That night, everything boiled over.
Mira got off the subway later than usual. Her hoodie was up, headphones in, head down but Dylan was already waiting by the entrance of the building.
She tried to walk past him like always.
But he stepped in front of her.
“You know,” he said, voice low, “I don’t like people sneaking around. You always look guilty.”
“I’m tired.”
“Yeah? From what? Running?”
Mira stiffened. “Excuse me?”
“Look. I’ve been working security long enough to know when someone’s lying about who they are.”
He moved closer. Too close.
Mira took a step back. Her heart slammed against her ribs.
“Don’t touch me,” she said.
“I didn’t—”
“She said don’t,” a voice cut in from behind.
Kairo.
His tone wasn’t loud, but it hit like a gunshot.
Dylan turned, surprised. “I wasn’t—”
“Back off.”
Kairo stepped between them. His expression was calm but unreadable. Dangerous in a quiet way.
Dylan opened his mouth like he wanted to argue. Thought better of it. Turned and left.
Mira didn’t say anything.
Neither did Kairo not right away.
He just looked at her. Carefully. Eyes darker than usual.
“You okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yeah.”
But she wasn’t.
Not even close.
That night, while Kairo was in his room with the door half-closed and music low, Mira pulled out the burner phone.
She’d bought it weeks ago, just in case. Never used it. Until now.
She stepped onto the tiny balcony and called the first number.
Her best friend, Tessy.
“Amira?” the voice cracked on the third ring.
Tears stung Mira’s eyes instantly.
“I’m okay,” she whispered.
“Oh my God—where are you? Everyone—your mom, she’s—”
“Tessy. Don’t look for me. Please.”
“Amira—he’s still—Victor’s still asking around. You don’t understand—”
“I do,” she whispered. “That’s why I can’t come back. I just wanted you to know I’m alive.”
And she hung up before she could change her mind.
She called her mother next.
She didn’t speak when the call connected just listened to her mother’s voice as she answered, confused, then scared.
“Amira? Amira, is that you? Please, baby, say something—”
“I love you, Mama,” Mira whispered, her voice shaking. “Don’t call this number. Don’t answer unknown calls. Be safe.”
“Amira, no—please—”
Click.
She powered off the burner and tossed it into the back of her closet like it was poison.
Back in her bed, she stared at the ceiling until her eyes blurred.
Even with oceans between them, the past was still chasing her.
But now… she wasn’t sure if she was still running.
Or if she was starting to stand her ground.
- Writer
