Sweet dreams, honey

She saw it again. Surrounded by different trees with newly blooming flowers and small animals hidden behind each bush. It was early morning and she was running on the dewy grass, dancing enjoying herself without any worries in this cruel world. The world she had known since she was a child.

 In addition to beautiful butterflies of different species, she was surrounded by chirping birds announcing another wonderful day.

 "Lamia, breakfast is coming soon!" she heard her mother's voice.

"Just a little longer, mom," she said cheerfully.

 "Let her go, see how happy our little girl is." said dad.

 She looked at them and saw them looking at each other, completely in love. She was just a little girl with big dreams and even though she didn't know much about love, she wanted nothing less than what her parents had. She lay down on the grass with a view of the sunlit sky that could be seen through the branches of the canopy. It was so beautiful that she just wanted to stay in that moment forever, happy. She closed her eyes, in her utter peace...

 It was all of a sudden. The cold air spread through the forest, the sun disappeared behind the treetops, and the animals, as if sensing that something was wrong, hid in their shelters. She felt a terrible sense of loneliness.

 "Just stop, please...stop," she shouted, but no one could hear her.

. . .

 Lamia awoke from a deep, difficult sleep disturbed by what she had just seen. Everything started to come back, all the pain and sadness. So real as if it happened right now. Two years ago, her parents disappeared while returning from a business trip. Both excellent detectives, they went to various cities related to the cases they were working on.

They loved their work, because it brought them excitement and interest in each case, special in its own way. They briefly explained the cases to Lamia, especially since they gave her ideas for the next story she is working on. For some reason, the last case was particularly secretive, without revealing any details. For that matter, all traces of their business trip have disappeared.

. . .

 From an early age, she loved reading and writing books. With that, she finished computer science at the university and got a job in the city library of London. As her parents always taught her to do a job she loves, she adored hers.

 It was early in the morning and she got ready and went to work through streets covered in snow. Time passed as usual, without much work so she spent hours exploring the areas and surroundings of London. After her parents disappeared, they tried everything to find them, but there were no witnesses. They didn't know what to do anymore, but Lamia didn't give up.

For the past two years, her life has come to a standstill. Accompanied by research and searching in vain, with difficult dreams, she still had to work to survive. Although the case was closed a year ago when the police gave up, with a series of wrong theories, she managed to restart the case again. She would never give up. 

 Covered with various books, all busy, her first customer came. Teary-eyed, shaken by a lot of thoughts, she looked up. A young man with blue eyes and brown hair, elegantly dressed, looked at her curiously.

 "Do you need help, miss? You seem upset.” he asked worriedly.

 Now completely broken, she cried loudly. This was the first time in a long time that someone had offered to help her. Although she would never do that, especially confiding in a stranger, she told him her difficult story. After that, he looked at her sadly, as if he would do anything to help her.

 "I know I can't be of much help to you, but I'd like to try. You seem like a good person," he said with care.

 After an unusual introduction, their meetings continued. They became more and more frequent...in the library, her apartment, he even helped with the investigation. They did everything to find out, because Lamia believed that her parents were still alive somewhere, despite other people's opinions.

 They were without much progress, until one day. The police received a tip that the witness who last saw them had suddenly been found. They said that it was an anonymous tip, but that he told them to report back in a few days. A glimmer of hope appeared and she didn't let it go.

 While she was waiting for news, she didn't stop searching. Stefan called her to come to his apartment one evening, with the news that he had found something useful and that he should come see it urgently. She started immediately, all in wonder and hope.

 He welcomed her with glasses of wine on the table and a gentle smile.

 "I have good news," he said happily.

 "What happened?" she asked suspiciously.

 He explained how he got in touch with the witness and found out where he lives. However, he considered it unusual that he only came forward now, which means he must be connected to the case.

 She looked at him in disbelief, countless thoughts were running through her head.

 "How? How can he know that?", she asked fearfully.

 “You're getting the hang of it, aren't you honey?” he laughed loudly.

He continued to laugh hysterically, satisfied that he had finally revealed everything to Lamia.

 "Where are my parents? she shouted in fear. He stopped laugh.

"Right there, right there. That's where you'll end up, don't worry," he said calmly.

 She started running away in panic, looking for a way out. Running around the house it looked like there was no way out, all the doors were closed and all locked. The house looked like a maze, full of empty rooms that had no end, and she realized that it was over. She couldn't see him, but she knew he was close. There was complete darkness. In silence, she tried to listen to where he was, although she couldn't calm down from crying and shock. She started to go crazy waiting.

 She gathered her courage and shouted: "Where are you now? Come now, show up. Finish what you started, but know that I'm not giving up without a fight. I'm not giving up, just for them."

 The familiar hysterical laughter echoed through the house, sound coming not far from her. In anger and panic, she ran towards him. A fight began between them, where Lamia managed to knock him to the floor.

 In the next moment, she felt something sharp, accompanied by a strong blow, hitting her in the head. She slowly fell and lost consciousness, and the floor was filled with a growing pool of blood.

 "You got what you deserved, just like your parents. Better late than never. Sweet dreams, honey." said the killer with a gentle smile.