Whispers of Deception

oved slowly, filled with the simple pleasures of life. Sophia loved the mornings best, she would step outside her little house and breathe in the crisp, fresh

of energy. Their home wasn't big or fancy, but it was cozy, with colorful tiles and handmade decorations that gave i

shuffling inside reminded her she wasn't alone for long. "

ir stuck out in all directions like a porcupine, a good sign he'd slept deeply. "

ady shining through his sleepy co

said, smiling, it wasn't much, bu

eminders of a happier time. One photo stood out more than the others it showed three siblings: , Sophia, Isabella and Leo. S

ught him looking at the photo, sh

d be proud of me?" he asked

is shoulder. "She would be more than proud, Leo. You're smart,

his facial expression

ed yesterday, Isabella had gone into town to buy groceries, her laughter could be heard in the air when she left, but she never came back. At first, everyone ass

er being forced into a truck on the outskirts of town, Sophia couldn't sleep for days after hearing it. She imagined her sister's fear, her struggle,

aid softly, drawing herself out o

chool, Sophia busied herself with her routine, her job at the local café whi

eerful yellow, and the smell of fresh coffee and pastries filled the air, Sophia tied he

ep much," Maria said, handing

hed. "Same

ess further. They had worked together long

nd focused. But every now and then, her thoughts drifted back to Isabella, she wonder

ue?" Maria asked duri

ia replied, wiping

bout the women who've been disappearing again. Th

she continued cleaning. "I don't know,"

with their whole lives ahead of them. The fear was always there, lurking in the back

of the day replaced by the soft creaking of crickets, she paused outside her house, staring at the wildflowers moving

finishing his homework. He looked up

hing?" he asked, his c

l pastry from her bag. "Just t

hile Leo sat at the kitchen table, finishing his homework, the rhythm of the chopping of v

istory project?" Sophi

d in concentration. "Miss Ramirez said

yourself credit for," Sophia said,

ght, the dream returned, but it was different, instead of the dark forest, she stood in a crowded plaza, the air thick with the scent of smoke and swea

sabella stood under a shaking stree

ice breaking, Sophia tried to move, but her feet were ro

gers touched, a shadow arose , pulling her sister into the darkness. So

, but she could feel something was off, her heart pounde

orest like the flicker of a lantern. For a moment,