{ Mia }
I was floating in that strange space between sleep and waking when I felt it, a cold, metallic touch pressing against my shoulder.
"Wake up, Mia."
Scarlett's voice was soft but firm. Her mechanical fingers tightened slightly, making it clear I had no choice.
I groaned. "Scarlett, what the hell—"
"You need to see this."
Her tone sent a ripple of unease through me. Scarlett was programmed to be efficient, not dramatic. If she was waking me up, it meant something was wrong.
I pushed myself up, rubbing my eyes as I followed the direction of her hovering fingers.
Outside, under the dim glow of the streetlights, stood my mother. She was at the neighbor's doorstep, smiling, her hand outstretched.
I frowned. "What's the problem?"
Scarlett's fingers flexed, her mechanical hands clicking softly. "Mia, look closer."
I did.
"It's just a salt shaker," I muttered, my irritation creeping in. "She's handing over a salt shaker. So what?"
Silence. A beat too long.
Scarlett's fingers curled slightly. "A salt shaker?"
I turned to her, confused. "Yeah… what else would it be?"
Scarlett hesitated. "Mia. That's a box."
My breath hitched.
I snapped my gaze back to the window. The same scene. Mom. The neighbor. The object in her hand.
Except...
It was definitely a salt shaker. I could see the tiny holes on top. The smooth, glassy surface.
But Scarlett sounded sure.
I swallowed. "No. It's a salt shaker."
Scarlett's mechanical hands flexed. "I don't make mistakes, Mia. It's a box."
A chill crawled up my spine.
My pulse hammered as I looked again. Same thing.
So why did I suddenly feel like I wasn't sure anymore?
"Take a picture of Mom and the lady." I barked.
A faint clicking sound. The camera inside Scarlett processed the image, and a second later, she projected it onto my screen.
I rushed toward it, breath caught in my throat.
I froze.
It wasn't a salt shaker. It was a box.
My stomach twisted.
Heart pounding, I whipped my head back to the window.
Salt shaker.
I blinked. Rubbed my eyes. No change. It was definitely a salt shaker.
"Scarlett." My voice was barely above a whisper. "Something is wrong."
Scarlett's fingers flexed, a subtle sign of recalibration. "Your visual discrepancy is abnormal. Running diagnostics."
I swallowed hard, my hands clenching into fists. "Do a brain scan. Full body check-up. Now."
~ 10 minutes later ~
Scarlett's voice softened. "Mia."
I tensed.
"Your results are normal. No neurological damage. No chemical imbalances. No visual impairments."
My stomach dropped.
No. That wasn't the answer I wanted.
If I was fine… then what was wrong with reality?
Then, a sudden knock at my door startled me .
" Scarlett did you hear that ?"
" Hear what Mia?"
I made my way to the door only to find a little girl standing there, just looking at me .
I stumbled backwards." Mia , what's wrong are you alright?"
" So that's your name ." The little girl said smirking." ' Mia ' "
All the color drained from my face at that moment I felt my throat close and I struggled to breathe.' who is this little girl? And why is she here?'
" S-scarlett ?" I stuttered." Can't you see her ?"
"Scarlett?" I whispered.
Static. A flicker of blue light.
Then, nothing.
Fear engulfed me as I didn't get an answer from Scarlett but the little girl.
" No one can see me Mia ." She said feigning innocence .The girl's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Your birthday is in a few days you'll find out everything then."
She blinked. And in that blink
Gone.
But her voice remained.
A whisper, curling through my mind like a ghost.
"Happy birthday, Mia."
I froze how did she know when my birthday was . What would I find out ?
I was confused as I lay down on my bed and let darkness engulf me .
I woke up to a warm hand on my face .
Slowly I opened my eyes . " Dad ?!" My breath caught.
This wasn't real.
It couldn't be.
But the warmth of his arms, the familiar scent of his cologne it felt so real.
My hands clutched at his shirt, as if letting go would make him disappear.
" Hey there sleepyhead it's 11 in teb morning!! ." He said smiling.
" I missed you "
" I missed you too sweetheart." He gently placed a kiss on my forehead then continued." Get ready for breakfast we're having pancakes" he said winking .
Then, he left the room .