The rain had stopped, but my hands were still shaking when I finally reached my room. The silence felt heavy, as if the walls themselves were listening. I closed the door, locked it carefully, and leaned against it for a moment, trying to calm my racing heart.
Everything that had happened at the bus stop replayed in my mind like a broken film. The stranger's tired eyes. His warning. The black car rushing toward us. It all felt unreal, like a nightmare I couldn't wake up from.
I walked to my small wooden desk and placed the silver locket on it. The light from the lamp reflected softly on its surface. For years, I had believed this locket was lost forever, just another memory of my mother. And now, it had returned—bringing danger with it.
"Why now?" I whispered.
My fingers hovered over the tiny button on its side. Slowly, I pressed it. With a soft click, the locket opened.
Inside was a faded photograph of my mother. Her smile looked gentle, warm, and painfully familiar. My eyes burned with tears. I touched the photo, remembering her voice, the way she used to brush my hair before bedtime, the stories she told me about brave people and hidden truths.
Behind the photo, I noticed something folded carefully. A small, yellowed piece of paper.
I unfolded it with shaking hands.
"Trust no one. The key is inside the light."
The words made no sense, yet they filled me with dread. The key? The light? What was my mother trying to tell me?
Suddenly, my phone buzzed on the bed. I jumped, my heart racing. An unknown number had sent a message.
Are you safe?
I stared at the screen, my fingers trembling.
Who is this? I typed.
A pause. Then another message appeared.
Someone who wants to protect you.
I swallowed hard.
Why me?
The reply came slowly, as if the sender was choosing each word carefully.
Because your mother hid something powerful. They believe you know where it is.
My breath caught. My mother—part of something dangerous? All these years, had she been protecting me without my knowing?
A knock sounded on the door, making me freeze.
"Anaya?" My best friend Riya's voice came from outside. "Are you home?"
I quickly hid the locket in my drawer and opened the door. Riya stepped inside, her eyes full of concern.
"You didn't come to class today," she said softly. "You look pale. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," I lied, forcing a smile. "Just tired."
She studied me for a moment. "You sure? You've been acting strange since last night."
I hesitated. The note echoed in my mind—trust no one. I shook my head. "It's nothing. I promise."
After she left, I locked the door again. My phone buzzed once more.
Meet me tomorrow at 6 p.m. The old library. Come alone.
Fear and curiosity battled inside me. I knew it could be a trap—but I also knew I couldn't ignore it.
I picked up the locket again. Somewhere inside this mystery was the truth about my mother. And no matter how dangerous it was, I was ready to find it.
My real journey had just begun.