Secrets

Chapter 5 - Similarities

Later that evening, Mia found herself doing some casual shopping, her mind pleasantly distracted by the glow of her phone screen.

Earbuds snug in her ears, she let music fill her senses, occasionally chuckling at the memes flooding her feed.

Her feet moved on autopilot, following the same route she'd taken countless times. She was so absorbed in her scrolling that she didn't realize where she was until it was too late.

Mia stopped dead, her heart plummeting as she took in her surroundings. The alley.

The same narrow, shadowed street where the incident had happened. The oppressive darkness, the faint scent of damp concrete—everything came rushing back, and with it, a cold dread that seeped into her bones.

Her breath hitched as she spotted movement ahead. Shadows. Several figures were approaching, their outlines barely visible in the dim light.

Mia's instincts kicked in. Without thinking, she slipped behind a pair of dumpsters, crouching low and pressing her back against the cold metal. Her heart pounded in her chest, loud enough that she worried they might hear it.

Really, Mia? Hiding behind dumpsters? she thought bitterly. Is this the best you've got?

She shook her head, willing herself to stay silent.

As the figures drew closer, their voices became clearer.

"You're really unfucking believable, you know that?" one of them said, his tone sharp and biting. The voice struck a chord of familiarity, but Mia wasn't about to risk peeking out to confirm.

"Don't get your panties in a twist," another voice replied, this one smoother, more nonchalant. "It won't harm anyone."

The footsteps grew louder, closer, until Mia could feel the vibrations through the ground.

"Yes, it will!" the first voice snapped. "And you know it! That 'accident' was supposed to be just that—an accident. You don't even care about the fallout. Stop approaching others and dragging them into this mess until you've cleaned it up."

The second person let out a frustrated groan.

"It's dealt with," he said dismissively. "We're no longer part of her group, and our involvement is over. She's safe, alright? We're free to talk to whoever we want now, without worrying about her antics. Besides, she's got protection."

The first voice scoffed, disbelief dripping from his tone.

"And what part of sleeping with her and dating her seemed like a good idea to you? You've made a goddamn mess, and now we're both stuck dealing with it."

Mia's heart raced as she strained to make sense of their cryptic conversation. Who are they talking about?

Before she could think further, a new set of footsteps echoed down the alley. The tension in the air shifted instantly.

"Shit," one of them muttered under his breath.

And then, a third voice—calm and female—cut through the silence.

"The temptation was too great," she said smoothly. "Besides, I know what's best for both of you."

Mia froze, her blood running cold.

"What the hell are you doing here?" the first voice hissed, anger barely contained. "Our ties are cut. I told you not to contact us again."

"Don't be like that," the woman replied, her tone almost mocking. "You know you need me. I won't let you walk away so easily—not after everything we've been through. Not for a reason as trivial as this."