Beloved by The Moon

Chapter 4

Ian Whitlock sat at his cluttered desk, the faint glow of his computer screen illuminating the late afternoon shadows. He glanced at the clock, knowing he needed to reach out to Morgan as soon as possible.

He picked up his phone and dialed her number, tapping his fingers nervously on the desk as he waited for her to pick up.

"Morgan, it's Ian," he said when she answered, trying to keep his voice steady. "I just wanted to let you know that I checked Mara's apartment when I investigated. It's still intact."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, and he could almost hear her thought-process.

"What do you mean by intact?" she asked, her tone sharp with focus.

"I mean the door was locked, and everything inside looked exactly as it should. No signs of forced entry or anything out of place," Ian replied, feeling a flicker of hope. "I think it's important you check it out. Maybe there's something there I haven't discover and could help us understand what happened."

"Thanks for checking, Ian," Morgan said, her voice steadying. "I'll head over there right away. If it's untouched, there might be clues we haven't considered. Can you send me the address?"

"Sure. I'll text you the full address," he replied, pulling up the details on his computer.

"Got it. I'll let you know what I find."

Morgan arrived at Mara's old apartment, a sense of purpose guiding her steps. As a private investigator, she was used to the weight of mystery, but this felt personal. The landlord, a kind-faced woman with sympathetic eyes, opened the door for her.

"I'm so sorry for what happened to Mara," the woman said softly. "Her parents have decided to leave her things untouched until the investigation is cleared."

"Thank you for letting me in," Morgan replied, her voice steady. She stepped into the small apartment, immediately hit by a wave of girlhood—beautifully decorated living room and carefully chosen interiors, everything in some sort variation shades of pink.

The apartment was exactly as Mara had left it. Books were piled high, art supplies scattered across the table, and sketches adorned the walls. Morgan needed to understand what had drawn Mara into the shadows before she vanished.

She began her search, methodically going through the belongings. Every item felt significant, a piece of the puzzle she was determined to solve.

Morgan almost gave up her search until she opened a cupboard. In between layers of t-shirts her fingers brushed against something solid—Mara's leather-bound journal. It was worn but intact, the edges frayed from use.

Opening it, Morgan's found the first pages were filled with Mara's neat handwriting, chronicling her thoughts, dreams, and observations. But what captivated Morgan were the strange symbols she had written starting from the middle of the journal—ancient Mesopotamian glyphs that hinted at something deeper.

Flipping through the pages, she came across an entry that made her pause. "If you're reading this, please understand..." it began, but the rest was obscured by frantic scribbles. There's some sort of urgency in Mara's words.

The symbols seemed to pulse with meaning, connecting history with something more sinister. Had Mara been investigating something she shouldn't have? It's a probability Morgan should consider.

Morgan snapped the journal shut. This wasn't just about finding Mara; it was about uncovering the truth behind her disappearance. The stranger from the woods, the mysterious connections, the ancient symbols—it was all intertwined.

After leaving Mara's apartment, Morgan headed to the local library, her mind filled with questions about the glyphs. The air was thick with anticipation as she stepped inside, the familiar scent of old books and polished wood wrapping around her like a comforting blanket.