At the supermarket, Mia is shocked to discover a milk carton bearing her photo and the word \u201cMISSING.\u201d Will Mia be able to save herself once she finds her true identity?<\/p>\n
Mia, 14, opened her eyes to a nurse smiling beside her. \u201cHow are you feeling, dear? Can you tell me your name?\u201d the woman asked.<\/p>\n
Mia blinked. \u201cI\u2019m Mia\u2026but that\u2019s all I know,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s OK,\u201d The nurse smiled. \u201cYou\u2019ve been in a coma for a few days. Your brain is still trying to wake up fully.\u201d The nurse examined her, checking her pulse and examining her eyes. Mia was fine, but she would stay under observation, at least for a few days.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust a little longer, and you\u2019ll be discharged. I\u2019m going to tell your parents you are awake,\u201d the nurse continued. \u201cThey\u2019ve been distraught, but they\u2019ll be so happy to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the nurse walked away, Mia pressed her memory for details. Did she have parents who were worried for her? Would she recognize them?<\/p>\n
Mia\u2019s racing thoughts were interrupted when the door burst open.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, darling!\u201d A woman raced toward her and hugged her tightly. \u201cThank God you\u2019re alive!\u201d<\/p>\n
Mia didn\u2019t remember her. She stared blankly as the woman pulled away.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, but I don\u2019t remember anyone. I woke up from a coma,\u201d Mia told her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, sweetie. The doctors filled me in. I\u2019m Laura, your mother,\u201d the woman said calmly.<\/p>\n
Mia still didn\u2019t recognize her. \u201cWhat happened to me? Why don\u2019t I remember you?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
Laura smiled. \u201cThere was an accident. But let\u2019s not focus on the bad things, yes? I\u2019m here to take you home. If familiar things surround you, your memory might return soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen can we leave?\u201d Mia asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow,\u201d Laura replied too quickly. \u201cI\u2019ll pack your things.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laura began collecting Mia\u2019s stuff, which confused the young girl. \u201cBut the nurse said I needed to stay here\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, did she say you\u2019re better now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe did,\u201d Mia nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen it\u2019s settled,\u201d Laura declared. \u201cThey want to keep you here longer for the bills to swell.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mia believed Laura.<\/p>\n
Mia\u2019s things were packed, and they were about to leave the room. But as Laura opened the door, she stepped back, terrified by the flurry of activity outside.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll have to be quick, Mia. Follow me.\u201d Instead of taking the main exit, Laura veered left toward the fire escape. She glanced at people from the corner of her eyes as if she wanted to remain unnoticed.<\/p>\n
Mia noticed Laura\u2019s nervous expression. \u201cWhy are we going this way?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to get one floor down,\u201d Laura replied, guiding Mia to the staircase that seemed to spiral down endlessly. They reached a less-traveled landing, and Laura released Mia\u2019s hand. \u201cWait here; I\u2019ll be back in two minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laura returned with some paperwork, and then they made their way into the parking lot.<\/p>\n
Laura\u2019s steps were hurried, and when she heard a doctor\u2019s voice, she ushered Mia behind a car.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are we hiding?\u201d Mia asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, honey,\u201d Laura\u2019s voice trembled as she looked at Mia. \u201cI know you might be worried about why we\u2019re leaving like this\u2026It breaks my heart, but I can\u2019t afford another day here. I can\u2019t pay your bills.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mia didn\u2019t recognize Laura yet, but she sensed the pain in her voice. \u201cIt\u2019s OK,\u201d she whispered, giving Laura a comforting smile. When the doctor\u2019s attention remained elsewhere, they made their way to Laura\u2019s car.<\/p>\n
Mia stared out of the window throughout the drive. She noticed the buildings eventually getting replaced by lines of trees. The car finally stopped in front of a solitary house nestled among greenery. Mia still didn\u2019t recognize any of it.<\/p>\n
Laura led her to a room with pastel-colored walls and shelves lined with toys. Pictures of a baby, which she assumed was her, were hung on the wall. Mia felt it was odd. No 14-year-old would have such a room.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs this really my room?\u201d she asked as she picked up a doll from the bed. \u201cThese photos on the wall\u2026they\u2019re all of a baby,\u201d she added, facing Laura.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe lived here when you were very young, honey,\u201d Laura smiled. \u201cThen we moved to the city. Our house there\u2026it caught fire recently. We lost everything. So we came back here to your old room.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mia tried to jog her memory. But nothing. She listened intently as Laura narrated about her hobbies, tasks she enjoyed, and the foods that were once her favorite. But Mia didn\u2019t recall any of it. Again, it wasn\u2019t strange considering her condition.<\/p>\n
Then, one morning, Laura told her she was stepping out for some grocery shopping. Mia really wanted to accompany her, and Laura agreed.<\/p>\n
The mom and daughter arrived at the supermarket. While Laura was shopping, a strange detail caught Mia\u2019s attention: A milk carton had her image.<\/p>\n
Mia approached the carton and lifted it from the shelf. She stared at the word \u201cmissing\u201d printed below her photo.<\/p>\n
\u201cRemember something?\u201d Laura\u2019s voice made her jump. Mia turned around, pressing the carton to her chest, hiding it from Laura.<\/p>\n
Mia knew something was off the day she arrived at Laura\u2019s house. She couldn\u2019t pinpoint what, but this milk carton was her first lead.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was\u2026I was just looking,\u201d Mia replied nervously.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright,\u201d Laura nodded and turned toward the checkout. As Laura walked away, Mia memorized the phone number mentioned on the carton. Thank God, this was the only carton with her photo; otherwise, Laura would\u2019ve noticed it, too.<\/p>\n
During the drive home and at dinner, Mia\u2019s mind was occupied with the carton. She wondered what her picture was doing there. She noticed Laura seemed strange since they had returned from the shopping. Her smiles no longer seemed genuine.<\/p>\n
Laura went to work in the garden after dinner. Mia watched her through the kitchen window, and when she was sure that Laura was engrossed in gardening, the young girl took Laura\u2019s phone and dialed the number she had memorized from the milk carton.<\/p>\n
A few rings went through, and then a woman\u2019s voice appeared. \u201cHello? Who is this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHello,\u201d Mia replied nervously. \u201cI saw my photo and this number on a milk carton. Can you tell me what\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n
There was a pause, after which Mia heard the woman\u2019s panicked voice, \u201cMia, is that you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, my name is Mia. But that\u2019s all I remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, Mia! Your father and I\u2014we\u2019ve been looking for you! We didn\u2019t know what happened, where you were\u2014You were kidnapped, sweetie! Do you know where you are? Can you recall anything, any landmarks?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mia explained what she remembered, but her conversation was cut short when the living room door flung open.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho were you talking to?\u201d Laura demanded from the doorway.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one, just a wrong number,\u201d Mia stammered.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see you\u2019re lying to me, girl!\u201d Laura approached her slowly. \u201cIt\u2019s not nice to lie to your MOTHER!\u201d<\/p>\n
Before Mia could think what to do, Laura lunged for her and dragged her to the basement.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re my daughter, and I won\u2019t give you to anyone!\u201d Laura shouted through the door, her voice cracking.<\/p>\n
Mia was locked inside. She pounded on the door, begging Laura to open the door. But it was futile.<\/p>\n
As her eyes adjusted to the dimly lit surroundings, Mia searched the space for an alternative exit. But there were none.<\/p>\n
It was then Mia noticed something in a corner. It was the stack of papers Laura was carrying at the hospital the other day. On the top was a doctor\u2019s note dated 12.01. Mia began reading the papers.<\/p>\n
\u201cPatient Laura \u2014 First Visit. Presenting with acute delusional episodes. Believes in seeing her deceased daughter in various locations. Struggling with acceptance and grief.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mia gasped. She turned to the next note dated 25.01:<\/p>\n
\u201cProgress is slow. Laura continues to report sightings of her daughter. Recommended increased dosage and continued therapy to aid in acceptance and processing of her daughter\u2019s passing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mia moved on to the next sheet, dated 13.02:<\/p>\n
\u201cNotable progress in today\u2019s session. Laura displayed moments of clarity, expressing guilt and grief without the compulsion to see her daughter. It\u2019s a fragile but significant step towards acceptance. Encouraged her to maintain medication and therapy.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nMia\u2019s heart wasn\u2019t prepared when she read the last one.<\/p>\n
\u201c18.02 \u2013 A distressing regression today. Laura accused me of deceit, claiming that her daughter was, in fact, alive and that she had seen her in the hospital. She became agitated, her anger escalating quickly. She threw a paperweight across the room, barely missing me, and shouted that she wouldn\u2019t be fooled by my \u2018lies.\u2019 The session ended with her storming out, leaving chaos in her wake.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mia\u2019s worst suspicions were proved. Laura wasn\u2019t her mother. Laura was a mentally ill woman who thought Mia was her dead daughter who was somehow reborn.<\/p>\n
As the day went on, Mia didn\u2019t know how to escape Laura\u2019s clutches. Day turned into night, and at some point, she dozed off.<\/p>\n
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\nThe next morning, she was awakened by footsteps near the basement door above. \u201cPlease, let me out,\u201d she yelled, but no answer came.<\/p>\n
Mia thought quickly and formed a plan to manipulate Laura physiologically. This time, Mia yelled, \u201cMom! It\u2019s scary down here!\u201d<\/p>\n
The footsteps halted. Mia\u2019s plan was working.<\/p>\n
\u201cMom, remember how we planted the garden together? We were a team\u2026I want those moments back. Please, Mom.\u201d<\/p>\n
Minutes stretched endlessly as Mia held her breath, waiting for any sign of yielding from Laura.<\/p>\n
\u201cMom, I love you, I really do. I want to be with you, not locked away. Please!\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n
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\nIt was then she heard a faint sound\u2014a key turning in the lock, a bolt sliding. The door creaked open. Laura came downstairs and gently wrapped her arms around her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry I did this to you, honey,\u201d she said. \u201cI was scared you would leave. I can\u2019t lose you again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m here now; don\u2019t worry,\u201d Mia feigned concern.<\/p>\n
Laura took her upstairs and served her some food. Mia noticed how Laura\u2019s hands shook as she ate and how nervous she appeared. The illness in her mind was clearly visible.<\/p>\n
Mia pretended to be a good girl and finished her meal. Laura then went to the kitchen to clean it.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoney, can you fetch me the rest of the dishes?\u201d she called out from near the sink.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, Mommy!\u201d Mia replied. This was the right time. Seizing the only opportunity to escape, Mia grabbed a plate, carefully approached Laura, and then swung the plate with all her might.<\/p>\n
The impact was so strong Laura crumbled to the ground, crying in pain. Mia quickly grabbed the front door keys, unlocked the door, and began running. She headed into the forest and kept going. When she glanced behind at one point, she saw Laura was following her.<\/p>\n
Mia ran as fast as she could. But Laura managed to catch up with her and grabbed her leg. Mia fell face-first on the ground.<\/p>\n
Laura turned her over, her hands around Mia\u2019s neck as she choked the girl.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease, let me go!\u201d Mia gasped out weakly. \u201cI can\u2019t\u2026breathe!\u201d<\/p>\n
Mia had really thought she was going to die. But then, she heard a voice, \u201cRelease the girl now, or I\u2019ll shoot!\u201d<\/p>\n
A cop, his gun drawn, emerged from the bushes. \u201cNeed backup. Female and a young girl near the river,\u201d he reported on his radio.<\/p>\n
When he saw Laura wasn\u2019t listening to him, he made a split-second decision and fired\u2014not a bullet, but a dart of electricity that arced through the air with a sharp crack. Laura\u2019s body jolted, and her hands went slack. Air rushed into Mia\u2019s lungs as she gulped down breath after precious breath.<\/p>\n
The officer was quick to reassure Mia as he holstered the Taser. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, you\u2019re OK now. She\u2019s been subdued.\u201d<\/p>\n
Soon, Mia\u2019s parents arrived with a bunch of officers. Her parents hugged her and explained how they had found her using the information from her call.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe contacted the police immediately after you called us. You\u2019ll finally be home, honey,\u201d Her mother said. \u201cFinally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mia wrapped her arms around her parents and silently cried with relief. She knew the people she was hugging were her real parents. Not only did she look like them, but the comfort she felt in their arms was something she would never feel otherwise.<\/p>\n
Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
At the supermarket, Mia is shocked to discover a milk carton bearing her photo and the word \u201cMISSING.\u201d Will Mia be able to save herself once she finds her true identity? Mia, 14, opened her eyes to a nurse smiling beside her. \u201cHow are you feeling, dear? Can you tell me your name?\u201d the woman […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":4200,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tales"],"yoast_head":"\n