Saturday mornings were usually busy.
But this Saturday?
It felt like the entire city had decided to leave their houses at the same time.
Lia Thompson had been on her feet since morning.
Serving customers.
Cleaning tables.
Taking orders.
Running back and forth until her legs felt like jelly.
By the time evening arrived, she was exhausted.
Absolutely exhausted.
The small café where she worked was packed.
Families.
Couples.
Students.
Everyone seemed to want coffee today.
"Table seven needs their order!"
"Coming!"
"Can someone clean table three?"
"I'll do it!"
"Miss Lia, can I get another napkin?"
"Of course!"
At this point, Lia wasn't even sure she was alive anymore.
She was simply surviving.
One of her coworkers laughed.
"You look like you're about to collapse."
Lia dramatically placed a hand over her heart.
"I died three hours ago."
The coworker burst out laughing.
"You're ridiculous."
Lia smiled.
But honestly?
She was counting the minutes until closing time.
Meanwhile—
Ryan Blake was having the worst day imaginable.
He had called Lia three times already.
No answer.
Then again.
Still nothing.
Then again.
Nothing.
Ryan stared at his phone.
Suspicious.
Very suspicious.
Normally Lia answered.
Even if she was busy.
Even if it was only:
Busy.
Talk later.
Something felt off.
His father's words from breakfast replayed again.
"If Lia Thompson disappeared from this situation..."
Ryan immediately sat up straighter.
"No."
He was overthinking.
He had to be.
Right?
Back at the café—
The clock finally hit closing time.
Lia almost cried from happiness.
The customers slowly left.
The lights were dimmed.
The chairs were stacked.
The floor was cleaned.
Finally.
Freedom.
Lia grabbed her bag.
Stretched.
And sighed dramatically.
"I'm never working another Saturday."
Her coworker laughed.
"You say that every Saturday."
"...and I mean it every time."
The two girls laughed before saying goodbye.
Soon—
Lia was alone.
The street outside was unusually quiet.
Most stores had already closed.
Streetlights glowed softly.
Cars passed occasionally.
Nothing unusual.
At least...
That's what Lia thought.
She stepped onto the sidewalk.
Pulled her hoodie tighter.
And started walking home.
Halfway down the street—
She noticed something.
A black car.
Parked across the road.
Lia glanced at it briefly.
Then kept walking.
It was probably nothing.
Right?
A few minutes later—
She looked back again.
The car was still there.
For some reason—
A chill ran down her spine.
Stop being dramatic.
She continued walking.
But then—
Her phone vibrated.
Ryan.
Lia smiled slightly.
And answered.
"Hi."
Ryan immediately spoke.
"Where are you?"
Lia blinked.
"What kind of greeting is that?"
"I'm serious."
Something about his voice made her pause.
"I'm heading home."
Silence.
Then:
"Alone?"
"...yes?"
Ryan tightened his grip on his phone.
"I don't like that."
Lia rolled her eyes.
"You sound like a worried dad."
Normally Ryan would joke back.
This time—
He didn't.
And suddenly...
That made Lia nervous.
"Ryan?"
His voice lowered.
"Do me a favor."
"What?"
"Look around."
Lia frowned.
But she did.
The street.
The shops.
The road.
Nothing.
Then—
Her eyes landed on the black car again.
Her smile disappeared.
"...Ryan."
Immediately—
Ryan stood up.
"What?"
"I think..."
Lia swallowed.
"I think the same car has been behind me for a while."
Silence.
Pure silence.
Then Ryan grabbed his keys.
"Lia."
His voice was deadly serious now.
"Start walking somewhere public."
"Ryan—"
"NOW."
For the first time since meeting him—
Lia heard genuine fear in Ryan Blake's voice.
And suddenly—
Something felt very, very wrong.
Across the street—
The black car's headlights turned on.
And slowly...
It started moving.
TO BE CONTINUED.....