Chapter 291: Reunion
Lily felt the cool evening breeze brush against her face as she walked down the dimly lit street. The sky was a dusky purple, the sun dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows over the pavement. She’d opted to walk to the supermarket instead of driving, needing the distraction and fresh air after a particularly stressful day. The gentle rhythm of her footsteps was soothing, and she tried to focus on the mundane task ahead—buying groceries, a simple errand that grounded her in reality.
But as she neared the supermarket, a strange feeling of unease settled in her chest. She couldn’t quite place it, but something felt off. She quickened her pace, her eyes darting around nervously. The street was mostly empty, only a few cars passing by and the occasional pedestrian hurrying home. It was quiet, too quiet for her comfort.
Just as she was about to cross the street, a strong hand clamped over her mouth from behind, and another arm wrapped around her waist, yanking her backward with a force that knocked the breath out of her. Panic surged through her as she struggled against the iron grip, her muffled cries lost in the deserted street.
The figure dragged her into a nearby alley, the darkness swallowing them whole. Lily thrashed wildly, kicking and clawing, but the hold on her didn’t loosen. Fear pulsed through her veins, her heart hammering in her chest. She tried to scream, but the hand over her mouth stifled her, leaving her voice trapped in her throat.
Then, she heard it—a voice, low and familiar, speaking in her ear.
"Shh, baby, it’s me. Stop fighting, it’s me."
The familiarity of the voice cut through her panic like a knife. Lily froze, her breath hitching as she strained to listen.
"Mom?" she gasped, her voice barely a whisper. "Is that you?"
The hand slowly released her mouth, and Lily turned around, her wide eyes searching the darkness. The figure before her was shrouded in shadow, but as they stepped into the faint light from a nearby streetlamp, the features of her mother, Margaret, came into focus.