ALONE ROAD

ALONE ROAD Episode 1: The Disappearance The first sign that something was wrong was the empty chair.Amara stared at it for several seconds before forcing herself to look away.The hall was beautifully decorated with White roses lined the aisle, Golden lights hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the hundreds of carefully arranged chairs. Soft music played in the background, and everywhere she looked, there were smiling faces, expensive clothes, cameras and flowers.It was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, but the groom's chair was empty. “Amara.”She turned.Her best friend, Nadia, stood behind her, holding the edge of her dress. “Have you heard from Daniel?”Amara smiled nervously.“He probably got caught up with the guys. You know how men are.” Nadia didn't smile back.“Amara, the ceremony was supposed to start twenty minutes ago.” “I know.” She looked at her phone again. 12 missed calls. Not from Daniel but from her.His phone was switched off. Her stomach tightened. “He wouldn't do this,” she whispered. Nadia stepped closer.“Maybe there's a reasonable explanation.”Amara nodded.There had to be. Daniel loved her. At least, she believed he did.They had been together for four years. He had proposed eighteen months earlier. They had planned the wedding together, argued over the smallest things, laughed about their future and promised each other forever.Three hours earlier, Daniel had kissed her forehead.“You look beautiful,” he'd whispered.Then he'd smiled and said,“I'll see you at the altar.”That was the last time she saw him. THREE HOURS EARLIER Daniel stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie shakily.“Bro, you good?” His best friend, Michael asked.“Yeah.”Michael laughed “You don't look good.”Daniel forced a smile and replied “I just need some air.”His phone vibrated and he stepped out to answer the Unknown number.“Hello?” There was silence at the other end.“Hello?” He said again.A woman's voice finally came through.“You shouldn't marry her.”Daniel froze.“Who is this?”“You know exactly who I am.”His heart began pounding.“I don't know what you're talking about.”“You have ten minutes.”“For what?”“To decide whether you want to save Amara…”The woman paused.“…or destroy her.”The call ended.Daniel immediately called the number back but it was Unavailable.He looked toward the hall, and through the glass doors, he could see Amara laughing with her bridesmaids.He pulled out his phone and opened a hidden folder.Inside were photographs, documents, bank statements and a picture that made his blood run cold.The lady in the picture looked exactly like Amara. PRESENT DAY “Amara!” Nadia's voice brought her back.“We need to do something.” Amara swallowed.“Call his parents.”“They're already here.”“What?”“They're in the waiting room.”Amara hurried toward them.Daniel's mother was sitting stiffly, her face pale.His father stood beside her.The moment he saw Amara, his expression changed.“Where is my son?”Amara stared at him. “I don't know.”“You were supposed to know.”“Mr. Cole, I've been calling him too.”His mother suddenly stood to ask “Did you two have a fight?”“No.”“Are you sure?”“Yes.”“Did he say anything strange to you last night?”Amara hesitated before answering “No.”It was a lie because there was one strange thing Daniel had said something she hadn't thought about until now.The night before the wedding, while they were lying in bed, Daniel had asked:M“Amara, if you ever found out that someone you loved had lied to you about something important, would you forgive them?”She had laughed.“Depends on the lie.”“And if it changed everything?”She had turned toward him.“What are you talking about?”He had kissed her forehead.“Nothing.”Now she wished she had asked more questions. Two hours later, the police arrived.The wedding hall had become a crime scene.Guests whispered.Phones were out.People were filming.Somebody had already posted online:“Groom disappears on wedding day in Abuja.”Amara sat alone in the bridal room.Her wedding dress suddenly felt unbearably heavy.Nadia entered.She looked frightened. “Amara…”“What?”“There is something you need to see.” She handed her a small brown envelope.“Where did you get this?”“It was delivered to the reception desk.”Amara stared at it.Her name was written on the front.AMARA.Her hands trembled as she opened it.Inside was a single photograph.She pulled it out.Her breath stopped.It was the same woman from Daniel's hidden folder.The woman who looked exactly like her.On the back of the photograph were five handwritten words:“Ask your mother about her.”Amara's face went pale.“My mother?”Nadia looked at her.“What does that mean?”Amara couldn't answer.Her mother had died when she was eight.There was something else inside the envelope.A folded piece of paper.Amara opened it.Only one sentence was written:“Daniel didn't leave you. He was running from them.”Her phone suddenly rang an Unknown number.She stared at it.Nadia whispered,“Don't answer.”But Amara pressed accept.For several seconds, neither person spoke.Then a man's voice said:“Amara.”Her heart stopped.“Who is this?”“You need to leave the wedding hall immediately.”“Where is Daniel?” “Tell me where my fiancé is!”The man exhaled slowly.“Listen carefully. You are not safe.”“Who are you?”Another pause.“Look outside.”Amara walked toward the window.Across the street, a black SUV was parked.Its headlights were on.Someone was sitting inside.Watching her.The voice continued.“Do you see the car?”“Yes.”“Good.”“Who is inside?”The man lowered his voice.“Your father.”Amara froze.Her father had been dead for nineteen years.The call ended. She went blank.Nadia stared at her.“What happened?”Amara slowly turned around.“My father…” Her voice broke.“…is alive.”Outside, the black SUV suddenly pulled away.And on the road behind it, Daniel's phone was lying in the middle of the street. TO BE CONTINUED...

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