When The Night Falls

Without a Trace

Zara Coleman feels the world shift beneath her as she lies in bed, teetering on the edge of sleep. The sound of frantic footsteps pounding down the hallway jolts her awake. Before she can fully grasp what's happening, her bedroom door bursts open. Zoey stands there, breathless and wide-eyed, her face streaked with fresh tears. Zoey's voice cracks, a tremor of panic lacing her words. 

"I can't find her." Zara blinks, trying to pull her groggy mind into focus. "What do you mean?"

"She's gone," Zoey whimpers, stepping into the room, her voice breaking. 

A jolt of fear runs through Zara. She pushes herself up on one elbow, heart pounding. The soft cries of their baby sister, Zuri, filter through the walls, a reminder of the fragile life depending on them.

"Check her room again," Zara says, forcing steadiness into her voice. She wants to believe it's a misunderstanding—maybe their mother is out for a late-night drive, needing some space. But the tremble in Zoey's lips tells her otherwise. The sisters move quietly through the house. Zara checks the living room and then the kitchen. Empty. She stands in the doorway of their mother's bedroom, staring at the unmade bed and the pile of discarded clothes. It's as if their mother had vanished into thin air, yet... 

Zara knows. She's felt this coming, deep in her bones, for months. It's been hanging over them since their father passed away, like a storm cloud gathering strength. Their father died of cancer six months ago, just a few months after their mother found out she was pregnant with Zuri. Zara and Zoey had tried to hold everything together for the sake of Zach, Zayn, and the newborn Zuri. But Zara had seen the withdrawal in their mother's eyes long before she physically left. 

"Zara, look" Zoey whispers, her voice trembling as she points to the kitchen counter. There it is—a folded piece of paper that has slipped behind the coffee maker. Zara's hands shake as she retrieves it, unfolding the note. The words are scrawled hurriedly, barely legible, but the message is clear: 

"I'm leaving. I can't stay anymore. Take care of each other, please. Love Mom"

Zara stares at the note, the weight of its meaning crashing down on her. Zuri's cries grow louder from the bedroom, cutting through the stillness of the house. There's no time for shock now.

"Zara... what are we going to do?" Zoey's voice is broken, pleading, desperate for answers. Zara closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and wills herself to stay calm. The weight of everything presses down on her, but she can't fall apart. Not now. "Get the twins," Zara says quietly, folding the note. "I'll get Zuri." Zoey hesitates, her eyes searching Zara's face as if looking for something to make it all okay. But Zara can only offer a nod of reassurance. Zoey wipes her eyes and nods back before slipping away to the boys' room. Zara moves into her mother's old room, where Zuri lies in the crib, her tiny face scrunched in discomfort. Zara scoops her up, feeling the warmth of the baby against her chest."It's okay," Zara whispers, gently bouncing Zuri. "It's okay... I've got you." As Zara holds Zuri close, the crushing reality settles in. Their mother is gone, and she's not coming back. It's now just Zara, Zoey, Zach, Zayn, and Zuri—left to face a world that feels too big, too cold, and too uncertain.In the dim light of the early morning, Zara makes a silent vow to herself: She will hold this family together, no matter what it takes. She will step up—just as she always has—because, in the end, she is all they have left.