Dou you mind, Mike?

After

For Samantha Giddings, the past two years had been nothing short of hell. She could never have imagined a greater loss than what she endured that fateful night. Yet since then, everything seemed to have shattered into pieces. After surviving the horrors in the mountains with Mike, they only learned at the hospital that Matt and Jess had also managed to escape the mine. Mike had been her protector, just as she had been his. But as soon as they reunited, Sam felt as if she no longer existed. That night, not only had death taken her friends from her, but some had also turned away from her voluntarily. Both Mike and Matt stood by Jess, as she clearly needed more support. Sam couldn't compete with that, even if she wanted to. She had always been alone. This only reinforced her belief that she didn't need anyone, as she wasn't important to others either.

During the week she spent in the hospital, she lay alone in her room. Her mother was at home, far away, and her health wouldn't allow her to travel to see her daughter. But they spoke on the phone every day. On the last day before she was discharged, Mike came to visit, but Sam pretended to be asleep. She wasn't ready to talk to anyone. She didn't even say goodbye; she left the hospital as quickly as she could.

That week was the last time she saw her friends. As soon as she got home, she deleted all her social media accounts, trying to erase the horrors from her life. But she couldn't expel them from her memories. It wasn't just a bad weekend; it was a never ending nightmare.

She stayed home for an entire year, living solely for the sake of nature. Colorado Springs was full of natural wonders. She climbed mountains, hiked, and watched birds. There were weekends when she camped out in the forest. Being alone brought her a sense of calm. The nights, however, were difficult, as the images would appear in her dreams. There were worse days and better days. Unfortunately, the former became increasingly rare when her mother was admitted to the hospital, and soon after, cancer claimed her life. She lost everyone who had been important to her.
Alone, she remained in a house that once brimmed with life. For weeks, she didn't venture beyond the four walls. Eventually, she had to leave, as her savings had dwindled, and she needed to find work. With no high school diploma, her options were limited. She found a job at a local diner, a place where she had dined with her mother during her childhood. She reluctantly admitted to herself that it felt good to spend her days with familiar faces. Her coworkers were kind to her, and the owner took a liking to Sam. Six months later, she was promoted, allowing her to open and close shifts on her own. She managed inventory, planned customer promotions, and once again felt valued.

In recent times, Sam had retreated to work, even putting in hours on her days off. Despite her love for solitude, the empty house only served as a place to sleep. She had also pushed aside her hiking trips, as if this were a defensive mechanism. All she needed was something to distract her mind.That day was no different, as an unfamiliar face stepped through the door. Sam was absorbed in taking orders and, without looking up or making eye contact, asked:

"Good afternoon—or rather, good evening. What can I get for you? I recommend our specialty, the city's favorite cheeseburger, or perhaps the..."

"Sam?" the man's voice came out in a hoarse tone.

Sam looked up from the little notebook she was holding.
"Michael?" A lump formed in her throat for a moment, but she tried to suppress the shock in her voice.

"Oh my God, Sam! I don't even know what to say. What are you doing here?" Mike said, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.

"I don't really know." Sam gestured to her work uniform. "I might be trying to take your order, but I'm not sure. " A wry laugh escaped her lips.

Seeing Mike again brought back memories of how she had abandoned him in the hospital—well, not exactly abandoned, but she had left him in a way. She hadn't realized then how much she would have needed him. Now, as she looked at him more closely, she saw how much he had changed. His body was somewhat out of shape; he wasn't thin, and while his muscles were still visible, his once-polished appearance had faded. He had stubble on his face, which Sam reluctantly admitted suited him well. It added a certain charm.