“There was an accident.” But let’s not dwell on the negative aspects, okay? I am coming to take you home.” If familiar things surround you, your memory may return soon.” “When can we leave?” Mia asked. “Now,” Laura said too quickly. “I’ll pack your things.” Laura started gathering Mia’s belongings, which bewildered the small child. “But the nurse said I needed to stay here.” “Well, did she say you’re better now?” “She did,” Mia agreed. “Then it’s settled,” Laura announced. “They want to keep you here longer for the bills to swell.” Mia believed Laura. Mia packed her belongings and prepared to leave the room. But when Laura opened the door, she stepped back, scared at the rush of activity beyond. “We’ll need to be quick, Mia. “Follow me.” Instead of using the main exit, Laura turned left toward the fire escape. She peered at people out of the corner of her eyes, as if she wished to go undetected. Mia observed Laura’s anxious demeanor. “Why are we going this way?” she inquired. “We need to get one floor down,” Laura said, directing Mia down the staircase that appeared to spiral down indefinitely.

They arrived at a less-traveled landing, and Laura let go of Mia’s hand. “Wait here; I’ll be back in two minutes.” Laura reappeared with some documents, and they made their way to the parking lot. Laura’s feet were fast, and when she heard a doctor’s voice, she led Mia behind a car. “Why are we hiding?” Mia inquired. “I’m sorry, honey,” Laura said, trembling as she glanced at Mia. “I understand you may be concerned about our sudden departure… It crushes my heart, but I cannot afford another day here. “I can’t pay your bills.” Mia didn’t know Laura yet, but she could hear the sadness in her voice. “It’s fine,” she said, offering Laura a consoling grin. The doctor’s focus shifted to Laura’s automobile. Mia spent the entire journey staring out the window. Rows of trees soon replaced the buildings. The automobile eventually came to a halt in front of a single house surrounded by vegetation. Mia still didn’t recognize any of it. Laura led her to a room with pastel-colored walls and shelves stacked with toys. She mistook the pictures of a baby on the wall for her own. Mia thought it was unusual. A 14-year-old would never have a room like this. “Is this my room?” she questioned, picking up a doll off the bed. “These photos on the wall are all of a baby,” she said, facing Laura. “We lived here when you were very young, honey,” Laura smiled. “Then we moved into the city. Our house caught fire lately. We’ve lost everything. As a result, we returned to your old room. Mia attempted to refresh her memories. But nothing. She listened closely as Laura described her interests, enjoyable chores, and former favorite meals. But Mia couldn’t recollect any of it. Again, that wasn’t surprising given her situation. Then one morning, Laura informed her she was going food shopping. Mia wished to accompany her, and Laura consented. The mother and daughter arrived at the grocery.

While Laura was shopping, Mia noticed a curious detail: a milk bottle with her image. Mia approached the container and pulled it from the shelf. She focused on the term “missing” posted beneath her photo. “Remember something?” Laura’s voice caused her to jump. Mia moved back and pressed the box to her breast, shielding it from Laura. Mia felt something was wrong when she arrived at Laura’s place. She couldn’t figure out what, but this milk carton was her first lead. “I was just looking,” Mia explained uncomfortably. “Alright,” Laura said as she moved toward the cashier. As Laura went away, Mia recalled the phone number on the container. Thankfully, this was the only carton containing her portrait; otherwise, Laura would have spotted it as well. Mia’s attention was preoccupied with the carton. She wondered what her photo was doing there. When they returned from shopping, she thought Laura appeared peculiar. Her smiles no longer appeared sincere.

Laura set to work in the garden after dinner. Mia observed her through the kitchen window, and when she was certain Laura was gardening, the little girl snatched Laura’s phone and called the number she remembered from the milk container. After a few rings, a woman’s voice appeared. “Hello, who is this?” “Hello,” Mia said cautiously. “I saw my photograph and number on a milk container. Could you tell me what’s going on?” The woman’s terrified voice paused before continuing. “Mia, is that you?” “Yes, my name is Mia. “But that is all I recall.” “Oh, Mia! Your father and I have been searching for you! We didn’t know what had happened or where you were. You had been abducted, sweetheart! Are you sure where you are? “Can you remember anything? Any landmarks?” Mia recounted her memories, but the living room door abruptly opened. “Who were you talking to?” Laura demanded from the doorway. “No one, just the wrong number,” Mia mumbled. “I see you’re lying to me, girl!” Laura approached her gently. “It’s not nice to lie to your mother!” Laura went for Mia and took her to the basement before she could react. “You’re my daughter, and I won’t give you to anyone!” Laura yelled through the door, her voice breaking. Mia was confined inside. She hammered on the door and begged Laura to open it. But it was fruitless. Mia looked about for an alternative escape as her eyes acclimated to the dimly illuminated surroundings. However, there were none. It was then that Mia noticed something in the corner. Laura was carrying a stack of documents in the hospital the other day. On top, there was a doctor’s letter dated 12.01. Mia started reading the articles.

“Patient Laura: A First Visit. Presenting intense delusional episodes. She believes she can see her deceased daughter in numerous settings. “I’m struggling with acceptance and grief.” Mia gasped. She proceeded to the next note, dated 25.01: “Progress is slow.” Laura continues to claim sightings of her daughter. We recommended an increased dose and prolonged therapy to assist Laura in accepting and grieving her daughter’s death. Mia then moved on to the following sheet, dated 13.02: “We made significant progress in today’s session. Laura had periods of insight, expressing sorrow and anguish without the need to see her daughter. It is a shaky but crucial step toward acceptance. We urged her to continue taking her medication and attending her treatment sessions. The final one caught Mia’s heart off guard. 18.02: A disappointing regression today. Laura accused me of deception, alleging that her daughter was alive and that she had visited her in the hospital. She grew furious, and her rage escalated swiftly. She hurled a paperweight across the room, narrowly avoiding me, and screamed that my deceit would not deceive her. The session concluded with her storming out, leaving havoc in her wake.” Mia’s worst assumptions were confirmed. Laura was not her mother. Laura, suffering from mental illness, held the belief that Mia was the reincarnation of her deceased daughter. Mia struggled to escape Laura’s grip as the day progressed. The day turned into the night, and she eventually fell asleep. She awoke the next morning to the sound of footsteps approaching the basement door. “Please, let me out!” she shouted but received no response. Mia thought quickly and devised a biological control scheme for Laura. This time Mia shouted, “Mom!” “It’s scary down here!” The footsteps ceased. Mia’s idea was working. “Mom, do you remember how we planted the garden together? We were a team. I want those times back. “Please, mom.” Mia held her breath for what seemed like an eternity, waiting for Laura to give in. “I genuinely adore you, Mom. I want to be with you, not chained away. Please!” she continued. She suddenly heard a faint sound: a key turning in the lock and a bolt slipping. The door creaked open. Laura walked downstairs and softly placed her arms around her. “I’m sorry I did this to you, honey,” she murmured. “I was afraid you’d go. I cannot lose you again.” “I’m here now; don’t worry,” Mia said, feigning anxiety. Laura led her upstairs and brought her some supper. Mia noticed Laura’s hands trembling during her meal, as well as her anxious expression. The disease in her head was obvious. Mia pretended to be a decent girl, finishing her food. Laura then walked into the kitchen to tidy it. “Honey, can you fetch me the rest of the dishes?” she said from near the sink. “Sure, Mommy!” Mia said.

This was the proper moment. Mia took a dish, slowly approached Laura, and swung it with all her might, seizing her one chance to flee. Laura collapsed on the ground, wailing in anguish. Mia hastily grabbed the front door keys, unlocked the door, and dashed out. She went into the jungle and continued walking. When she looked back, she noticed Laura was following her. Mia raced as quickly as she could. However, Laura caught up with her and grabbed her leg. Mia landed face-first on the dirt. Laura flipped over, wrapping her hands around Mia’s neck, and suffocated her. “Please, let me go!” Mia gasped faintly. “I can’t…breathe!” Mia had truly believed she was going to die. But then she heard a voice say, “Release the girl now, or I’ll shoot!” An officer, his rifle drawn, came from the woods. “I need support,” he reported over the radio. “A female and a young girl near the river.” When he realized Laura wasn’t listening to him, he made a split-second choice to fire—not a bullet, but a dart of lightning that arced through the air with a harsh crack. Laura’s body jerked, and her hands relaxed. Air surged into Mia’s lungs as she took in breath after breath. The cop quickly reassured Mia as he holstered the Taser. “Do not worry; you are OK now. She has been suppressed. Shortly after, Mia’s parents arrived, accompanied by a large number of police officers. Her parents hugged her and described how they discovered her based on the information she provided in their phone conversation. “We called the cops shortly after you called us.” Her mother responded, “You’ll finally be home, honey.” “Finally.” Mia put her arms around her parents and wept softly in relief. She recognized the persons she was hugging as her biological parents. Not only did she resemble them, but the warmth she felt in their embrace was something she would never experience otherwise.