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The wind howled outside, rattling my bedroom window. A shiver ran down my spine as I sat up, my heart pounding from a dream I couldn't quite remember. Something had been there—watching me..... Waiting....

I exhaled sharply, shaking the eerie feeling away. Just a dream. Nothing more.

Dragging myself out of bed, I walked into the living room, only to be greeted by my mother's firm voice.

"Mom, I'm an adult now, and I don't need anyone babysitting me," I huffed, folding my arms.

She sighed, her brown eyes filled with that familiar mix of love and stubbornness.

"I know, love. But as my only surviving child, you must listen to me. I've spent my whole life keeping you safe, living in isolation for a reason. If anything happens to you..." She swallowed hard, looking away for a brief moment. "I don't know how I'd survive. After losing your father and brother so tragically, you're all I have left, Tasha."

There it was again—the same guilt-laced words that made my chest tighten.

"Mom, I get it. I do," I said, my voice softer now. "I know you've sacrificed a lot for me. But I can't live in a cage forever."

Her face darkened slightly, and she glanced at the window as if checking for something—or someone—outside.

A strange tension filled the room.

For a fleeting second, I saw something in her eyes. Not just protectiveness. Fear.

But she covered it up with a small sigh. "Alright, no arguing tonight. Let's grab some popcorn and ice cream, and watch movies. Maybe we'll finally figure out who your secret admirer is in the neighborhood."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Mom, I told you, there is no secret admirer."

She smirked. "You sure about that?"

Just like that, the tension lifted, and within minutes, we were curled up on the couch, spoons digging into vanilla ice cream. The TV played some random rom-com, but neither of us paid attention.

Instead, we talked—about her clients, the crazy fashion trends she hated, and my upcoming college admission results.

College. Freedom.

It felt so close now, just within reach. The thought made me giddy with excitement, but also strangely uneasy. Like I was on the edge of something bigger than I could understand.

**Mina**

Mom always made time for me, no matter how busy she was. But I had never truly been alone—not with her or my best friend, Mina, by my side.

Mina had been my partner in crime since we were seven. She practically lived at my house, which made sense considering her dad—a successful doctor—was rarely home.

Her mother had remarried years ago, and that had been the start of her worst nightmare. Her stepfather had tried to make passes at her when she was just a child. The thought of it made my stomach churn with anger.

Even though she didn't live with her mother anymore, the scars still lingered.

We often joked that our parents should get to date or be married so we could become real/legal sisters, but neither of them ever took the bait. Still, I sometimes catch my mom watching Mina's dad with a look I couldn't quite decipher.

Wouldn't that be something?

Lost in thought, I barely noticed when my mom nudged me.

"Earth to Tasha," she said, raising an eyebrow. "Did you even hear what I just said?"

I blinked. "Oh, uh... sorry, Mom. I kind of zoned out. What were you saying?"

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "I was asking if you'd like to go to the beach this weekend since Mina is out of town with her dad.?"

I sat up instantly. The beach.

There was something about the ocean—the crashing waves, the endless horizon—that made me feel free. Like all the weight of my mother's worries and expectations couldn't touch me there.

"YESSS!" I squealed so loudly that Mom winced.

She laughed. "Alright, alright. That's settled then. Now, what would you like to wear? I can stop by the mall tomorrow to pick something out for you."

I smirked. "You know me, Mom. Just get something nice. And please, no pink."

She chuckled, shaking her head. "Noted ma'am."

**A Mother's Fear**

Yawning, Mom stretched her arms. "Alright, time for bed, sweetheart."

I grinned. "Goodnight, Mom. Dream of me dancing real hard at the beach whilst you're filming me with your imaginary camera."

She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I love you from the moon, sun, stars, and back," she whispered, brushing a kiss on my forehead.

"Same, Mom. Love you from the beginning to the end of the universe."

As I climbed into bed, I expected the usual warmth of sleep to take over. But instead, unease curled in my stomach.

The house felt too quiet.

A soft creak echoed from somewhere down the hall. I turned my head toward my bedroom door, suddenly alert.

**Mom's room**

The door was open just a crack. The light was off, but the faint glow of the moon illuminated the shape of her silhouette standing by the window.

She was talking to someone.

My breath hitched.

I carefully slid out of bed and moved toward the door.

"Mom?" I whispered.

She jolted, snapping her head toward me. I barely caught a glimpse of her expression before she hurried toward me, closing my door with a soft but firm click.

"Go to sleep, Tasha," she said, her voice tight.

And just like that, she was gone.

I stood frozen in place, my heartbeat loud in my ears.

Who had she been talking to? And why did she look so afraid?

I climbed back unto the bed, but sleep didn't come easily. The wind outside howled like a warning, rattling the window once more.

A chill ran down my spine.

I shook it off. Just my imagination. Just nerves about college.

Right?