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The University
**Chapter 5: The Unseen Truth**
The tension from earlier in the day still lingered in the air as Mira, Nora, and their friends returned to Nora’s house. Ryan, ever the peacekeeper, had suggested they all stay over for the night. He believed being surrounded by friends would help Mira feel safer and perhaps lift her spirits.
Nora quickly agreed, her protective instincts kicking in. “We’ll make dinner, chat, listen to music, and just relax. You need this, Mira.”
Yasmin nodded. “Yeah, a distraction will do you good. No more talk about the university tonight, okay?”
Mira forced a weak smile, nodding along, though her mind was elsewhere. The events of the day churned in her head: the dark hallway, the bridge, and most of all, Sonia. The name itself now felt like a whisper crawling up her spine.
At Nora’s, the group quickly settled into a rhythm. Ryan and Joseph took over the kitchen, chopping vegetables and teasing each other as they worked. Matthew and Anna turned on some upbeat music, the tunes blending seamlessly with the clinking of pots and pans. Yasmin and Nora began setting the table, laughing and gossiping about their professors and classmates.
But Mira was quiet. She sat on the couch, staring into space, her thoughts racing. She replayed every moment she had spent with Sonia—the friendly smile, the gentle tone, the way Sonia had seemed so genuine. And yet, the fear and confusion in her gut told her that Sonia was anything but ordinary.
“Mira, you okay?” Yasmin asked, snapping her fingers to get her attention.
Mira blinked and looked up, startled. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she mumbled.
“You don’t look fine,” Nora said, frowning. “Why don’t you relax for a bit? Dinner’s almost ready.”
Mira nodded but didn’t move. Her thoughts had already drifted elsewhere. She couldn’t let go of the nagging feeling that something about Sonia...
The tension from earlier in the day still lingered in the air as Mira, Nora, and their friends returned to Nora’s house. Ryan, ever the peacekeeper, had suggested they all stay over for the night. He believed being surrounded by friends would help Mira feel safer and perhaps lift her spirits.
Nora quickly agreed, her protective instincts kicking in. “We’ll make dinner, chat, listen to music, and just relax. You need this, Mira.”
Yasmin nodded. “Yeah, a distraction will do you good. No more talk about the university tonight, okay?”
Mira forced a weak smile, nodding along, though her mind was elsewhere. The events of the day churned in her head: the dark hallway, the bridge, and most of all, Sonia. The name itself now felt like a whisper crawling up her spine.
At Nora’s, the group quickly settled into a rhythm. Ryan and Joseph took over the kitchen, chopping vegetables and teasing each other as they worked. Matthew and Anna turned on some upbeat music, the tunes blending seamlessly with the clinking of pots and pans. Yasmin and Nora began setting the table, laughing and gossiping about their professors and classmates.
But Mira was quiet. She sat on the couch, staring into space, her thoughts racing. She replayed every moment she had spent with Sonia—the friendly smile, the gentle tone, the way Sonia had seemed so genuine. And yet, the fear and confusion in her gut told her that Sonia was anything but ordinary.
“Mira, you okay?” Yasmin asked, snapping her fingers to get her attention.
Mira blinked and looked up, startled. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she mumbled.
“You don’t look fine,” Nora said, frowning. “Why don’t you relax for a bit? Dinner’s almost ready.”
Mira nodded but didn’t move. Her thoughts had already drifted elsewhere. She couldn’t let go of the nagging feeling that something about Sonia...
