《Whisper's of the forgotten》 The Departure Chapter One: The Departure The airport buzzed with life¡ªannouncements 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¡ªit 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¡ªbeing 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¡ªsome 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¡ªa 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¡ªplaces to visit, things to do. They had no idea what was waiting for them on the other side. --- The Arrival The moment Sharon stepped off the plane, a strange sensation gripped her. It was as if something deep within her stirred awake, a feeling both foreign and familiar. Like she had always known this place. Like she had always belonged here. A dull ache bloomed in her chest, spreading through her ribs and down into her stomach¡ªa hollow, twisting pain she couldn¡¯t understand. She blinked, trying to shake it off. No overthinking. This was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Stella, on the other hand, had no such worries. She spun in circles like a child, arms outstretched, laughing at nothing. ¡°We¡¯re finally here, girls! Scotland! Can you believe it?¡± Mishkha chuckled, watching her. ¡°You look like a total idiot.¡± Sharon smiled, despite the strange weight pressing on her. Whatever this feeling was, she could ignore it. She had to. They booked a cab, and as soon as they settled in, Stella burst into song, humming excitedly about all the places they would visit. Sharon, however, couldn¡¯t shake the growing discomfort clawing at her chest. The closer they got to the city, the worse it became. Her fingers clenched against her lap as her breath came quicker. What was happening to her? If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. She didn¡¯t say anything. She wouldn¡¯t ruin this moment for them. Instead, she focused on the world outside¡ªthe sky was overcast, heavy with dark clouds that hung unnaturally low. The roads were slick with recent rain, reflecting the dim glow of streetlights. The air itself felt¡­ thick. Heavy. Watching. She turned toward Mishkha, who sat beside her, lost in her sketchbook. The faint scratch of pencil against paper was steady, rhythmic, almost hypnotic. ¡°What are you painting?¡± Sharon asked, her voice quieter than she intended. Mishkha didn¡¯t look up. ¡°You¡¯ll see when it¡¯s done. It¡¯s something good.¡± Something about the way she said it made Sharon¡¯s skin prickle. She swallowed, forcing herself to look away. Just nerves. That¡¯s all. --- The apartment was small but cozy. A large window overlooked the quiet road outside, where streetlights flickered faintly against the creeping dusk. Stella rushed ahead, practically bouncing toward the door. ¡°I got it!¡± she called out. Mishkha leaned against the doorframe, smirking. ¡°Go on, then. Be useful for once.¡± Sharon exhaled slowly, trying to center herself. It¡¯s just a new place. A big change. That¡¯s all. She turned her gaze to the street. And that¡¯s when she saw him. A figure stood on the far left side of the road. Still. Unmoving. Watching. Sharon¡¯s pulse spiked. She couldn¡¯t make out his face¡ªhis features were blurred, shadowed, wrong. But she could feel his eyes on her. A deep, hollow stare that seeped into her skin like cold fingers. ¡°Mishkha,¡± she whispered, voice tight. Mishkha glanced at her. ¡°What?¡± Sharon swallowed. ¡°Someone¡¯s staring at us.¡± Mishkha followed her gaze, her expression calm. ¡°Where?¡± Sharon pointed. But¡ª He was gone. The street was empty. Silent. Sharon¡¯s stomach turned. ¡°I swear, he was just there.¡± Mishkha raised an eyebrow. ¡°Sharon¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m not joking.¡± Mishkha exhaled through her nose, shaking her head. ¡°You¡¯re overthinking again. We just got here. Enjoy the moment. Live like it¡¯s your last time.¡± Something about the way she said it made Sharon uneasy. But before she could say anything, Stella¡¯s voice broke through. ¡°Are you guys gonna stand there all night, or are you actually gonna help me with these bags?¡± Sharon hesitated. Maybe Mishkha was right. Maybe it was just exhaustion, or the stress of moving somewhere completely new. She forced herself to laugh and stepped inside. Mishkha followed, closing the door behind her. But as the lock clicked into place, out on the street¡ª The figure appeared again. Standing in the exact same spot. Watching. This time, no one saw him. Not even Sharon. ---