The spotlight shone brightly on Miraaj Zahra as she stepped up to the podium for the third time in as many years. The audience, a mix of colleagues, admirers, and skeptics, rose to their feet in a standing ovation. It was a surreal moment three years in a row being hailed as the Best Paranormal Investigator of the Year. Yet, despite the applause and recognition, Zahra’s heart wasn’t racing with excitement. Instead, it was calm and steady. Almost too steady.
She adjusted the microphone, her fingers brushing against the engraved award that bore her name, a reminder of every sleepless night, every spirit freed, and every haunted place she had left behind. Tonight should have felt like a victory, but deep down, Zahra knew something was missing.
“Thank you,” she began, her voice steady and clear. "For the past three years, I have dedicated myself to the unknown, to uncovering the stories hidden within the shadows. It has been an honor and a privilege to explore the boundaries of what we understand about the world beyond.”
She paused, scanning the crowd, seeing familiar faces and those she once worked with. And then, her voice softened, as if she was speaking not to the room, but to herself
“But,” she continued, “I have come to realize that in chasing those shadows, I’ve lost touch with my own light. Investigating the paranormal has been more than just a job to me; it has been a calling. But, like all journeys, there comes a time to step back and reflect. So, as much as it pains me to say this" she hesitated, her fingers curling around the edge of the podium“I will be taking a year-long break. I need to find myself again. To reconnect with... everything else that makes life worth living.”
The murmurs in the audience were almost instant. People exchanged glances, whispering among themselves. Zahra? Taking a break? The very idea seemed unthinkable. For someone who had become synonymous with bravery and curiosity in the face of the supernatural, this was the last thing anyone expected.
Zahra smiled, though the weight behind her decision pressed on her like an invisible hand. “I’m not leaving forever,” she added quickly. “I’ll be back but for now, I need this.”
A round of polite applause followed, but it was more subdued than before. Zahra stepped off the stage, feeling a strange sense of relief and uncertainty. She had made the decision months ago, but saying it aloud made it all the more real. For the first time in years, she was choosing herself over the spirits that had haunted her days and nights.
As she made her way through the crowd, people stopped to congratulate her, some to ask why she had made this decision. "A break?" "Is everything okay?" But Zahra just nodded, keeping her answers brief.
Her mind was elsewhere. On the break that awaited her. The freedom to just be... for once.
Author's note~
"Thank you for reading the first chapter! I hope you enjoyed it. Your feedback and thoughts mean a lot to me, so feel free to share any constructive criticism or suggestions. Remember, this is just the beginning—there's much more to come! Stay tuned for the next chapters, and thank you for your support!"
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𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐐𝐚𝐬𝐫 𝐀𝐥-𝐒𝐚𝐡𝐫𝐚
Historical FictionIn the heart of the mystical Siwa Oasis, a legend whispers through the desert winds-a tale of a haunted palace known as Qasr Al-Sahra. Paranormal investigator Zahra Miraaj , a determined woman with an unshakable resolve, is drawn to the eerie silen...
