Four
880 Words
Mystery file.
“Sometimes, letting go is the best thing you can ever do for yourself.”
***
~ Elizabeth ~
“Enjoying your day, little Virginia?”
His voice alone was enough to make my skin crawl, but seeing him standing there—in the girls’ restroom—sent a surge of rage through me.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.
He smirked, stepping closer.
“Don’t you even dare!” The words burst from me before I could stop them. It was my first day at Hollands High, and already, everything felt like a nightmare. How was I supposed to survive nine more months of this?
“Or what?” His voice was mocking, amused. He took another step, closing the space between us. I fought the urge to back away, hearing Eliezer’s voice echo in my mind.
‘Beth, the moment you show weakness, you’ve already lost the battle.’
“Feisty. I like it.” His breath fanned against my face, making my stomach churn.
Ignoring him, I turned to the sink and splashed cold water on my face, trying to ground myself.
“You don’t belong here, Virginia. And you know it.”
His words made my hands still. My gaze met his in the mirror, and for the briefest moment, I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes. Pity?
I clenched my jaw. I didn’t need anyone’s pity—least of all his.
“Where do I belong then?” My voice was steady, but my heart pounded.
His answer cut through me like a blade.
“New Orleans. Your ruined city, in between the ruins.”
My breath hitched. I spun to face him.
“How the hell do you know that?”
This time, there was no mistaking it—pity, laced with something else.
“I know a lot, Virginia. Far more than you’d ever imagine.”
He backed toward the door, his expression unreadable.
“The sooner you realize you don’t belong here, the better.” Then he was gone.
I turned back to the mirror, but the girl staring at me wasn’t the Elizabeth I knew.
What was happening to me?
“Liz.”
Evie’s voice was soft, hesitant. I didn’t look at her, but I could feel her concern.
“Oh, Liz… I’m so sorry this is happening to you on your first day.”
She closed the distance between us, wrapping her arms around me. The tears I had been holding back finally spilled over.
“What do they have against me, El? Why?” My voice cracked with frustration.
Evie exhaled, her silence saying everything we were too afraid to put into words.
---
The final bell rang at 3 p.m. I wasn’t interested in any extracurriculars, so I left Evie at the cheerleaders’ stand and headed toward the school garden, where my driver was waiting.
“Good day, Timothy,” I greeted as I slid into the car.
“Good day to you too, young lady,” he replied with a warm smile. “I trust your first day went well?”
“You bet!” I forced a laugh, fastening my seatbelt.
Timothy chuckled. “You’re stronger than you think.”
His words held weight, reminding me of all we had been through. It had only been a year since he came into our lives, but his presence had made all the difference. I was grateful for him.
---
“Mom, Dad! I’m home!” I called out instinctively as I stepped inside, even though I knew they wouldn’t be back yet.
Dad was a college professor, Mom a supermarket sales manager—two entirely different worlds, yet somehow, they had found their way to each other.
I headed to the kitchen, stomach growling, and grabbed my dinner from the microwave. Spaghetti with meatballs—my favorite.
As I ate in silence, my mind drifted back to this morning. To him. To the way my heart had skipped when I first saw him.
Wait.
Why had it?
And why did his words affect me so much?
Was I... developing a crush on him?
I shook my head. No way. That’s tragically impossible.
After rinsing my plate, I was about to leave the kitchen when a sticky note caught my eye.
Hey, Lizzie, don’t forget to grab your VIP card from my room before heading to the café later.
With love, Mom.
I smiled. Café-hopping was my escape, my favorite part of the day. And thanks to Mom and Dad, I had a VIP card that granted me access to the best cafés in the city.
After freshening up, I slipped into a crop top and blue jeans, pairing them with flip-flops. I had nearly reached the stairs when I remembered the card and detoured to Mom’s room.
The drawer. That’s where she always kept it.
I pulled it open, grabbed the card—
And then I saw it.
A file.
The title alone made my blood run cold.
My hands trembled as I flipped it open, my heart hammering against my ribs.
The words on the page shattered my world.
What the hell?!
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A/N: What do you think the file contains, guys?
- Writer
