The sky was gray — the kind that made everything look dull and quiet. The road stretched far ahead, wet from the afternoon rain. People getting ready for Halloween. Decorations that suited the weather. The wipers swayed back and forth on Raven’s car as she stared at the endless traffic lights and sighed.
She wasn’t fond of shopping. She never was. But her sisters had forced her to check out Far Way Mall.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAMwUkMf9e
“Good stuff, great prices,” they’d said.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Yb0Sk5ufX
Just like the name, it was far away — almost forty minutes from her home.
She glanced at the passenger seat where her small list sat crumpled under her phone.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquJW1kJVTr
“Hopefully this is going to be worth it,” she muttered to herself, tapping the steering wheel. “Or else, I ain’t forgiving myself.”
The rain grew heavier as she drove into the highway turn. The mall’s huge sign finally appeared through the mist — 'FAR WAY MALL'. The letters glowed orange against the dim sky, flickering slightly. She parked in the corner lot, tightened her jacket, and stepped out.
On the other side of the parking lot, cameras flashed. Sienna had just arrived. The sharp click of her heels echoed on the wet concrete as two assistants followed close behind, holding umbrellas.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvG2kRSiHg
She wasn’t here to shop — she never wasted her time like that.
The mall’s business wing had invited her for an interview about her latest investment, a product everyone was suddenly talking about. Her calendar was already filled, but “public exposure” always won her over.
“Check the lighting before we start,” she said, brushing a raindrop off her sleeve. Her voice was firm, precise — the kind that made people listen even if she didn’t raise it. She adjusted her jacket, checked her reflection in the car mirror, and smiled faintly.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFld4bu3ZAd
Confidence suited her.
Inside the food court, the smell of coffee mixed with pancakes and laughter. Isabel Lily was sitting across from Theo, tapping her spoon against her glass.
“Cheese" she said, lifting her phone.
Theo rolled his eyes. “Why?”
“For memories.”
He sighed, but still said Cheese anyway. The camera clicked. She grinned, proud of the blurry picture.
“Now,” she said, “we’re heading to the bookstore, right?”
Theo nodded, biting into his sandwich. “Yeah. You pick. I’m just here for the food.”
Lily took out her list, showing she was prepared for this. They’d planned this “friends day out” for weeks, and the rain hadn’t stopped them.
Meanwhile, on the third floor near the gaming center, Blake scrolled through his phone. His hoodie was half-zipped, and his expression screamed frustration.
“You said Outlet Kya Mall, not Far Way!” he hissed into his phone.54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVu3H4RYqQ
No reply.
He looked around, realizing none of his friends were there. The place was decorated for Halloween — orange lights, fake spiderwebs, eerie background music and he already hated it.
“Great,” he muttered. “Just great!"
In the restroom near the lobby, Damian washed his hands and looked at himself in the mirror. He adjusted his collar, smiled at his reflection — that same sly, knowing smirk that never seemed to fade. His friends were still outside, joking loudly, but he liked a moment to himself.
When he turned, someone else walked in — tall, messy hair, phone in hand. Blake. Their eyes met for few seconds. Neither said a word. Then they both turned away and left, like strangers who shared the same mistake.
54Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj9Cx5SRxn
Outside, the rain softened to a drizzle. The sky darkened early — it was still afternoon, but the clouds made it look like evening. Halloween decorations glowed faintly through the glass walls: hanging bats, neon pumpkins, little paper ghosts that swayed with the wind.
From above, the mall looked peaceful. Ordinary.
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and then Add to home screen.