Unimpressed
The train screeched as it pulled into the station, metal grinding against metal with a long, tired cry. The moment it stopped, the doors slid open and the crowd surged forward like water released from a dam.
Mia tightened her grip on her worn suitcase before stepping down onto the platform.
Noise swallowed her immediately.
Announcements echoed from the speakers overhead.
Luggage wheels rattled across the concrete floor. Someone shouted for a cab. Another voice cursed loudly when a bag nearly slipped from their hands.
The city had not changed.
It was still loud. Still restless. Still overwhelming.
Mia stood still for a moment as people rushed past her on both sides.
She felt small again, like the city could swallow her whole without even noticing.
For a brief second, old memories clawed their way to the surface.
The camera flashes.
Whispers.
Voices speaking her name in hushed tones.
Headlines screaming across newspaper stands.
Her chest tightened.
She forced the memories away and pushed forward through the crowd. She wasn't here for her past.
She was here for Brielle.
Outside the station, the air carried the scent of gasoline, street food, and something faintly metallic.
Taxis honked impatiently while people hurried across the street like they were racing against time itself.
Mia adjusted the strap of her bag and walked
toward the bus stop.
A taxi would have been faster.
But faster costs money.
And right now, every dollar has a purpose.
The apartment building stood between a laundromat and a small grocery store that had a flickering sign in the window.
It wasn't impressive. Not even close.
Mia had spent half the train ride searching for cheap places near the hospital. Most were far beyond what she could afford, but one listing stood out. Small, poorly photographed, and suspiciously cheap.
The landlord had agreed to hold it if she paid part of the rent upfront. No questions asked.
Now, standing inside the tiny apartment with the key still warm in her hand, Mia realized exactly why it had been so affordable.
The brick walls were faded and the front door creaked loudly when Mia pushed it open. The narrow hallway smelled faintly of detergent and old paint.
The landlord had been quick and efficient. Cash up front. No questions asked.
Now Mia stood inside her new apartment.
If it could even be called an apartment.
The space was small enough that she could see nearly everything from the doorway. A single window faced the street.
The walls were bare and slightly discolored in places. The kitchen sink dripped slowly, the sound echoing in the quiet room.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
She walked in and placed her suitcase beside the couch.
The couch itself looked like it had lived through at least three different decades.
Still, it was clean.
And more importantly, it was close to the hospital.
That was all that mattered.
Mia moved toward the sink and turned the faucet. The pipe groaned before water sputtered out unevenly.
"Great," she muttered softly.
Before she could inspect the problem further, there was a knock.
Mia stiffened.
She hadn't even unpacked yet.
Another knock followed, louder this time.
She walked to the door and opened it slowly.
A woman stood there with an enormous grin on her face, leaning casually against the doorframe like she owned the hallway.
"New neighbor?" she asked brightly.
Mia studied her cautiously before nodding.
"Just moved in."
The woman's eyes swept over the room behind her.
"You look like someone who hates this city already."
Mia blinked.
Before she could respond, another woman stepped into view behind the first.
She looked calmer. Softer.
She nudged the loud one lightly with her elbow.
"Ignore her," she said. "She thinks sarcasm is hospitality."
The loud woman gasped dramatically.
"It is hospitality."
Mia stared at the two of them for a moment.
Then something unexpected happened.
The corner of her mouth lifted slightly.
Not a full smile.
But close.
"Maxine," the loud one announced, pointing to herself proudly.
Then she gestured toward her friend.
"And this is Claire."
Claire gave a small wave.
"Welcome to the building."
Maxine leaned further against the doorframe, clearly uninterested in leaving anytime soon.
"So, pretty lady, since you didn't tell us your name," she said casually, "what terrible life decision brought you to this charming slice of urban disappointment?"
Claire sighed.
"Maxine."
"What?" Maxine shrugged. "Look around. The sink probably leaks."
Behind them…
Drip.
Drip.
Maxine raised an eyebrow.
"See? Psychic."
Without second thought, Mia shut the door in their faces.
"Woah, waoh, waoh… that's rude. But I like her already."
"Don't cause any trouble, just leave her be," Claire said calmly.
"Oh please," she pouted as she followed Claire.
Later that afternoon, Mia stood in the hospital hallway watching doctors move quickly from room to room.
Brielle had been transferred only hours earlier.
The hospital itself was enormous.
Bright lights reflected off polished floors while nurses walked past with clipboards and charts.
Machines hummed quietly behind closed doors.
Everything here felt expensive.
Everything here felt serious.
A doctor finally stepped out of Brielle's room and approached her.
His expression was calm but serious.
"We've reviewed the test results," he said.
Mia's fingers tightened slightly around the folder she held.
"And?"
"The surgery will be necessary."
Her heartbeat slowed and sped up at the same time.
"Necessary" meant there was still hope. But necessary also meant risk," The doctor continued.
"We can schedule the procedure soon, but there's a required deposit before we proceed."
Of course there was.
There always was.
Mia opened the folder and slid the envelope forward.
"I have part of it," she said quietly.
The doctor accepted it and nodded.
"We'll begin the preparations."
As he walked away, Mia released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Mia remained standing there for a moment.
Tests first.
Then the surgery.
Which meant she still had time.
Time to figure something out.
Time to raise the money.
She pushed the worry aside and walked back
toward Brielle's room, convincing herself that things
were still under control.
One step closer.
Just one more step.
Night had settled over the city by the time Mia left the hospital.
Streetlights glowed along the sidewalks while traffic crawled slowly through the intersections.
The city never really slept. It simply slowed down.
Mia walked quietly, her thoughts heavy but focused.
She turned a corner and nearly walked past it.
A massive digital billboard towered above the street. Bright, impossible to ignore.
The screen shifted suddenly, displaying a familiar corporate logo.
BLACKWOOD CORPORATION
Then the image changed. A man's face appeared across the enormous screen.
Sharp suit.
Cold expression.
Eyes that looked like they had never doubted themselves for a single second.
Ethan.
His name appeared beneath the image along with a headline about expansion, success, and power.
People stopped to look up at it. Some whispered about the rumors surrounding him.
Some even took photos.
Mia barely slowed. She glanced up once.
Just once.
Then she kept walking.
In a city where everyone chased him… she didn't even look twice.