Riley Pov23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAatEEHYt4Q
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I stared at my phone for a full minute before finally dialing dad's number, I almost hung up before it even rang. Dad and I aren’t exactly on good terms. Ever since my step mom gave birth, it's been the baby….the baby…the baby. He completely forgot about me. I had to move out and stay at the dorm. My step mom, Ashley, is a real bitch. She's always trying to act like she's my mom, bossing me around. Like hell am gonna let someone control me. No one controls Riley Adams, except Riley herself.
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“Hey, Dad,” I said once he finally picked up.
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“Riley! Hey sweetheart, how’re you doing?”
I could hear clattering pans and running water in the background. Seems like he's in the kitchen, probably cooking up something for his beautiful, perfect family.
“I’m good. Just checking on you, since you won't do that.” I didn't say the last part out loud.
“How’s your wife and… her baby?” I almost puked saying that out loud, I still hated him for replacing my mom and with someone like Ashley.
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“Oh…Ashley’s good. As beautiful as always,” he said with that stupid cheerful tone he always used when talking about her. Like she was some goddess.
Gross! My face scrunched up in disgust.
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“And the baby is doing well,” he added. “She looks a lot like me.”
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“Great. Good for you all.” I said before we both fell silent.
“Um… how’s college?” he asked 6“I was hoping you’d….”
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“Honeyyy, my breakfast! I need to feed the baby!” Ashley’s shrill voice cut through the phone.
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“Riley, I gotta go.” He said
“Ofcourse” I sighed
I’ll call you later…” He added
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“No need” I cut him off. “There’s nothing more to say. I understand, go to your family.”
“I'll call yo….” I didn't let him finish, I hung up throwing my phone onto the bed.
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“Aaarghhh” I screamed into my pillow, then threw it to the floor along with my blanket. My eyes stung but I blinked quickly, refusing to let the tears fall.
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“I don’t need him,” I muttered, “ Fuck him, fuck his stupid wife, fuck em all. I don't need them.”
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“Uh… dude, are you okay?” My roommate, Porsha, stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her hair and another around her body.
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I straightened immediately, wiping the tears welling in my eyes. “Yeah, am fine. Just got mad.”
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She gave me a quick look like she wasn’t convinced, but shrugged. “Okay then.”
She walked into the room, slipping into a black miniskirt and a pink tank top paired with those her black heel boots then sprayed herself with a perfume so strong I almost coughed.
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“I’m heading out,” she said, tossing her towel on her bed and grabbing her Chanel bag.
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“I won't be back tonight so don’t wait up.” She said with a nonchalant wave.
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The door shut behind her, leaving me alone in the room. I sigh taking a deep breath. I leaned at the edge of the bed, rubbing my temples.
I was about to close my eyes when something caught my attention.
Porsha’s private drawer, it was slightly open. It's usually locked.
I stared at it for a moment, my pulse slowing for that second. Then I looked away, laying back down.
Am never calling him again. I clearly no longer have a place there.
“ How am I gonna get the RV I promised the group?”
---
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Lila Pov
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I slammed the door shut , the sharp crack echoing through the hallway. My rage was already surfacing, I felt like killing him. The passageway was dim, lit only by the weak glow of the floor lamp, I could hear the TV playing. I quickly walked towards the living room. And there he was, sprawled across the sofa, one arm thrown over the backrest, a remote dangling loosely from the other. He smirked immediately I walked in, even without turning towards me. Like he's been waiting for me.
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“Of course he was,he called you.” My subconscious mocked.
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“What the hell, Josh?” I snapped, stepping fully into the room. His eyes lifted lazily, and that smug smile pulled across his face. I wish I could slap it off.
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“I told you to stop calling,” I said sharply. “Stop asking to meet up.”
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He stood up slowly, stretching his arms like I had all the time in the world and what I say doesn't matter, then walked toward me, his eyes shining.
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“I just really miss you, Lee,” he said softly, brushing his fingers under my chin. “You know how attached I am.”
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I jerked my chin out of his hand. “Missed me? Can you stop with the games, Josh. Just end all this already. “I've done everything you asked. I even let you touch me.”
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His smile widened, his finger grazing the corner of my lip. I fought the urge to slap his hands off.
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“I don’t know how you got those photos,” I forced out, my voice cracking. “But I can't do this anymore, this ends tonight. I made a mistake, one stupid mistake and I’m not letting you hold it over me forever. No more. I’m done.” I turned to walk out, only took two steps toward the door before his voice cut through the air.
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“I guess you’re ready to let him know then,” he called casually. “You’re ready to let all of them know…..to find out what you did.”
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I slowly turned back to face him, my hands curling into fists at my sides.
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He stood there with that same smug expression. “ Go and they find out.”
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---
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Maya Pov
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The moment I got back home, I headed upstairs to my room, tossed my bag aside and flipped open my laptop. The screen’s glow filled the dim space, I put in my password and opened my browser. I typed Love Island disappearance into the search bar and hit enter.
Within seconds, articles, videos, and old forum posts flooded the page.
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I scrolled slowly, noting every detail.
BREAKING NEWS: Couple Goes Missing After Romantic Getaway on Love Island.
A thumbnail showed a blurred photo of two smiling people boarding a boat. This mist have been their last post.
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REPORT: Famous Love Island Resort Shut Down After Repeated Reports of Missing Tourists
Authorities still unable to locate bodies.
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Blackwater Lake Mystery: Is the Island Haunted? Local Residents Speaks Out….
A photo of the lake shimmered under dark cloud.
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Cursed Island? Three Couples Vanish in the Same Month
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I continued scrolling, clicking and opening tabs until my whole screen was layered in headlines.
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Couples Go Missing After Visiting Remote Love Island Resort
Authorities Warn Against Traveling to Blackwater Lake
Is Love Island HAUNTED
Families Of Missing Tourists Demand Answers
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There were some videos of ghost hunters whispering dramatically in front of the island, people claiming to hear screams across the water.
Pttf! All fakeeeeee
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“No traces. No belongings. No signs of struggle.”Another article mentioned
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A normal person would be freaked out by now. But honestly… I wasn’t. The articles only increased my curiosity.
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I leaned closer to the screen. “Are they really dead, maybe a seriel killer? Or did they run away, but why?” The deeper I went, the more excited I felt.
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This was a real mystery. Something big enough to stand out in my portfolio.
If I could investigate this place, gather solid evidence, take photos and interview locals… I could win the internship.
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My fingers tapped the keyboard, taking little notes.
I was halfway through another article titled Unexplained Disappearances: Why Blackwater Lake Remains Off-Limits, when I heard a knock.
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“Maya?”
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My heart almost jumped out my chest. I slammed the laptop shut, straightening my posture.
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“Come in,” I said, hoping my voice sounded normal.
The door opened and mom stepped inside, wiping her hands on her jeans. Her eyes swept over me, then drifted to the laptop on my desk.
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She raised an eyebrow. “What’cha doing?”
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“Nothing” I said too fast.
“Just school stuff.” I added sounding normal this time.
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She gave me that look mothers give, the one that says “I know you’re lying but I’ll pretend to believe you.”
She walked farther into the room, leaning on the back of my chair.
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“So….you mentioned earlier that you and your friends are planning something for the break. What’s this trip about?”
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I swallowed, “Oh, um… it’s nothing big. Just a small getaway” I said.
“Chase found this really nice… uh… resort type place, near a beach. A cute little couples’ spot.”
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Mom’s eyebrows lifted again. “A couples’ resort?”
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I cleared my throat. “Just a place couples usually go to. We’re going as a group. You know, like… an adventure. They have hiking paths and little cabins.”
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Mom didn’t look convinced though. “So you’re going to swim?”
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“Probably,” I said.
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“And relax?”
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“Yes.”
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“And just… reconnect with your friends?” she asked, her voice softening a little.
“Exactly.”
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She exhaled. “Well….. I guess you’re old enough to go on a small trip, as long as you stay safe. And you text me…like every hour. Keep me updated ”
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“I will,” I said quickly.
She smiled, reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear “Alright then. I’ll let you get back to… school stuff.”
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I gave a stiff nod, and she finally left the room, closing the door behind her.
I waited three whole seconds before I slowly opened my laptop again.
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and then Add to home screen.