ALONE ROAD

Episode 5: THE FRIEND Amara couldn't stop thinking about Daniel's message. “There are things about that night you were never told.” But another question troubled her. Why did Nadia know so much? For almost ten years, Nadia had been her best friend. She was the person Amara called whenever she was happy, heartbroken, confused, or afraid. Yet lately, Nadia seemed to know things before Amara told her. That morning, Amara decided to confront her. “Did you know Daniel before I met him?” Nadia went quiet. “What makes you ask that?” “Just answer me.” “No.” Amara stared at her. “You're lying.” Nadia sighed. “I met him once before.” “When?” “Years ago.” “How many?” Nadia looked away. “Nineteen.” Amara froze. “You met Daniel nineteen years ago?” “I was young. I barely remember it.” “But you just said you met him.” Nadia's eyes filled with tears. “I remembered him after seeing a photograph.” “What photograph?” Nadia said nothing. Later that day, Amara searched Nadia's old social media photographs. Then she found it. Nadia was standing beside Daniel. But that wasn't the shocking part. Standing behind them was Amara's mother, Elena. Amara immediately called Nadia. “Why do you have a picture with Daniel and my mother?” Silence. “Nadia, tell me the truth.” “I was going to.” “When?” “After your wedding.” “My wedding that Daniel never showed up for?” Nadia began crying. “I was scared.” “Of what?” “That you'd hate me.” “What did you do?” Nadia finally confessed. “Daniel asked me to watch over you.” Amara's heart sank. “For how long?” “Almost a year.” “So you were spying on me?” “No. I was trying to protect you.” “From who?” Nadia hesitated. “Your mother.” Amara stared at the phone. “My mother?” “Daniel believed Elena was hiding something from you.” Amara's heart began pounding. Then Nadia whispered: “There is one more thing.” “What?” “Daniel didn't disappear on his own.” “What are you saying?” “I saw him the night before your wedding.” “Who was he meeting?” Nadia took a deep breath. “Your mother.” The call went silent. Amara's eyes filled with tears. If Nadia was telling the truth, Elena had been alive before Daniel disappeared. And Nadia had known. For the first time, Amara wondered whether her best friend had been protecting her... or protecting the secret. Then her phone buzzed. A message from Nadia appeared: “Amara, please don't come to my house. Someone is already here.” Amara stared at the screen. Her hands began to tremble. Who was at Nadia's house? And why did they know she was searching for the truth? TO BE CONTINUED…

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