Chapter One: The Departure


    The airport buzzed with life—announcements echoing overhead, hurried footsteps clicking against polished floors, and the hum of conversations blending into an almost musical chaos. But for Sharon and Stella, none of it mattered. They stood at the edge of their past, waiting to step into a future they had only dared to dream of.


    Scotland.


    It had always been more than just a place to them. It was a promise. A hope. A world far removed from the cold walls of the orphanage they had grown up in. And now, thanks to a fully funded scholarship at the Scottish University of Arts, their dream was no longer just a distant wish—it was happening.


    Sharon wiped at her damp eyes, laughing at herself. “I can’t believe this is real,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. She turned to Mishkha, who stood beside them, arms crossed, a knowing smile on her lips. “Mish, this is all because of you. If you hadn’t told us about this scholarship, we never would’ve gotten here.”


    Stella nodded furiously, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “Seriously, Mishkha. Thank you. Our lives are about to change because of you.”


    Mishkha rolled her eyes dramatically. “Oh, so now I’m a stranger, huh?” She placed a hand over her heart in mock offense. “You’re making me feel like I had nothing to do with this. We’ve been best friends for four years, and now you’re treating me like some random outsider? Ugh, I’m offended. Not talking to you guys anymore.”


    Stolen story; please report.


    Sharon and Stella burst into laughter, and after a second of pouting, Mishkha let out a playful sigh and joined them. The tension of the moment melted away into the comfort of their friendship.


    “Okay, okay, fine,” Sharon said, still giggling. “But we’re just saying—being thankful isn’t a crime, right?”


    “Hah! Exactly,” Stella chimed in. “So let us be grateful, woman.”


    With laughter still lingering in the air, they boarded their flight, excitement buzzing between them like static electricity.


    They settled into their seats, Stella practically bouncing in place, listing off all the places she wanted to visit the moment they landed. “I read about this ancient castle near Edinburgh—some say it’s haunted! We should totally go.”


    Sharon chuckled. “Let’s not get cursed on our first week there, please.”


    Mishkha, who had been quiet for a moment, finally spoke. “You know… it wasn’t me,” she said, her voice softer, almost distant. “You keep thanking me, but this wasn’t because of me. It was your hard work. Or maybe… destiny?”


    She turned slightly, her dark eyes meeting Sharon’s, a small, unreadable smile on her lips.


    Sharon felt something then—a strange, creeping sensation at the back of her neck. It was as if Mishkha’s words carried something more, something unseen. Destiny. The word lingered in the air between them, heavier than it should have been.


    For a moment, it felt as if the world around them had stilled.


    But before she could dwell on it, the plane jolted as it took off, and the moment passed.


    Sharon shook the feeling away, telling herself it was just nerves. No overthinking. No paranoia. This was supposed to be the start of something beautiful.


    Beside her, Mishkha had already pulled out her sketchbook, her fingers moving swiftly across the page, lost in her art as usual.


    Sharon and Stella, caught in their excitement, began planning their adventures—places to visit, things to do.


    They had no idea what was waiting for them on the other side.


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