“And that’s all we have for today on our podcast. See you next time!” Harper said with a fake smile

even though no one really saw her

. She then left the radio station and went out for lunch. She bought a burger with fries and a latte. The funny thing is, she hates lattes. She just sat there, looking at her food and barely touching it, lost in thought.

“Why am I even doing this?” she said with a sigh. She wondered why she had even chosen to do a true-crime podcast. She had thought she would talk about exciting things, but all she seemed to do was comfort people who were mourning and offer advice. She wondered why no one wanted to give her a missing-person case.

Maybe because your not a detective,

a voice in her mind said

“Yeah, I know that already, brain!” she said, immediately regretting it because it looked embarrassing. She started thinking again. Maybe she should have just stuck to law and become a lawyer. After all, she had a first-class degree in it. But at the time, there had been no thrill in becoming a lawyer. She wanted something more, and that was why she had started a true-crime podcast. Sadly, she was regretting it now.

“You know, I know you’re not a big eater, but not touching your food? Now that’s just cruel,” Matt said.

Harper was interrupted from her thoughts by her best friend, Matt, who came and sat with her, a full grin on his face and a funny tone in his voice. He always tried to cheer her up whenever he noticed she was down.

“Nothing. I just don’t feel like eating,” she said, trying to hide how upset she looked.

“Yeah, tell that to someone who isn’t your best friend and doesn’t know when you’re lying,” he said. “Plus, you’ve tried that line before, so nice try.” He smiled.

Harper just sat and looked at her food. She wondered why she had even bought it.

Oh i was hungry

,she said in her mind.

“Okay, that’s it,” Matt said. “I’m trying to be funny here and lighten up the mood, but you’re just sitting there acting like a sourpuss.”

Harper realized she was making him upset, so she told him what was wrong. Matt listened, held her hand, and said, “It’s going to be alright girl. You’ll eventually find something you’ll want to investigate. In the meantime, stop ruining that pretty face of yours and eat your lunch before I'll become tempted”.

They both laughed and had lunch, and Harper felt a little better. Matt always knew what to say to cheer her up.

After work, she went home to her lonely, quiet apartment. She couldn’t remember the last time she hadn’t felt alone. She had grown used to it, though. After all, she had been alone for most of her life. She had grown up without anyone. Her mother had disappeared when she was six, and she had never had a dad. She had no one she could call a friend—well, apart from Matt. Oh, she was so grateful for him.

Sighing, she went to her room, took a quick shower, and read a book, because she loved reading, especially mystery and romance. She felt her eyes getting heavy and decided that it would be all right to stop for the day. She dropped her book to the side and lay down, hoping that something would come up to take her away from her dull, boring, lonely life.

Her 6 year old self was so excited for she just came home from school , holding her report card in her hand. For some reason her mom forgot to collect it at school so her teacher gave the report card to her. She was so happy for she got an A in all her subjects, except for math which she got a B in. She always never got an A in it. Her school bus dropped her off and she immediately raced to the kitchen where her mom was. She smelt muffins and she became more happy. “Mom mom look" she said rushing to her mother then showed her report card to her. Her mom saw it and smiled. She hugged her so loving. “I'm proud of you my sweet girl. I always knew you were so smart". Her mom gave her a cookie then hastily went out of the kitchen. She followed her mom. She saw her bending down on a corner covering her face then making a whimpering sound . “Mom what is it. Why are you crying?".

“It's nothing my dear I'm just so overwhelmed. A lot of things to think about" Harper understood her for she knew what she was talking about. They weren't really living the best life but she believed that one day this will be over. She went to her mom and hugged. Her Mom felt her warmth. She couldn't believe her 6 year old daughter could understand her plight, she simply couldn't. She was such a cute and smart little girl.The next day her mom disappeared leaving a note that said she's sorry.

12:00 a.m.

She woke up from her dream upon hearing a “ding” from her phone. She picked it up, wondering why she was receiving a message so late at night, and saw that it was a voicemail. She clicked it. The message sounded as if the person had been in a hurry to record it.

A young, shaky voice whispered, “My name is Lola Lockwood. I think… I think something is going to happen to me. They’re lying about everything in this house. My mom keeps crying in the bathroom, and my dad—”

A door slammed in the background. Harper gasped.

“If something happens to me, find the portrait in the attic. The one they covered. Please, you’re the only person I can trust.”

Beep. Cut off.