From the very beginning, I believed I was special—one in a million. A princess cradled in the arms of a loving queen and a noble king. I thought I had it all. A perfect life. Why would I think otherwise? Everything felt blissful, safe, and bright.
But then… something changed.
Where did it all go wrong? How did my fate twist into this nightmare? From being held gently in my mother's arms to running like a fugitive… like a criminal… like a cursed orphan. What am I even doing here? Why am I still alive? Why didn't I die with everything I once loved?
Every time I find peace, it shatters. Darkness creeps in like a shadow I can't escape. Is it following me—or is it inside me? Am I the darkness? Am I the reason everything falls apart?
I'm breaking. Every breath feels like it's stealing more of my sanity. I feel lost… empty.
Who would've imagined that Mia—the peaceful, bright, harmless girl—would end up a killer? Two lives… gone. One of them, my own father. Who would have thought that a girl who once had everything would now wander the streets, with no home, no safety—just fear and regret?
All I can think of now is to keep running… running until I find Miss Cathy… until I find Jessica… until I find the orphanage—the only place that once gave me a glimpse of peace.
My legs ached, my feet were blistered, my strength was fading—but I didn't stop. I didn't know where I was or which path to take, but something deep inside pushed me forward. A quiet determination told me not to give up.
Night fell. The air turned icy. The clouds above hung heavy, ready to release their sorrow in rain. The streets were empty, and only a few lonely cars passed me by. I thought about stopping, about resting—but the memory of what I'd done… the fear of it all… kept me moving.
I kept going, step after step, into the unknown… hoping that somewhere out there, there was still a place for me.
Then I collapsed. My legs gave out beneath me—I couldn't run anymore. My breath was ragged, and the cold bit into my skin like a warning.
A car slowed down and pulled over just ahead of me. Panic surged through my chest. A man stepped out, his figure shadowed by the car's headlights. He began to walk toward me.
I instinctively crawled back a little, my body trembling, but he didn't stop.
"Hey there, are you okay?" he asked, his voice surprisingly soft.
I couldn't respond right away. My thoughts were jumbled. What if he was a policeman pretending to help just so he could hand me over? What if this was the end?
But then again… what choice did I have? Maybe, just maybe, he could help me get to Miss Cathy… to something familiar.
"Sir… I don't know. I—I'm from an orphanage… I'm an orphan," I stammered, my lips shaking from the cold and fear. "Just… please take me back."
He knelt beside me and gently helped me to my feet. "What's the name of the orphanage? Do you remember where it is?"
"I can't remember…" I whispered, ashamed and helpless.
"It's alright," he said kindly. "We'll figure it out. Come on, let's get you warm."
He opened the car door and gestured for me to get in. I hesitated only for a second before scrambling inside, settling in the back seat. I felt a wave of fear again, but honestly, what more could possibly happen? If this man planned to kill me, maybe it would be a mercy.
He got in, glanced at me in the mirror, and then started the engine. The car hummed to life and pulled back onto the road.
I wanted to stay alert, to memorize the streets, the turns—anything that might keep me safe—but exhaustion overwhelmed me. My eyes fluttered closed… and sleep took me.