

From The Woods
Kira’s life is a symphony of secrets and unheard voices. Haunted by whispers from a childhood in the woods and abandoned at a church gate, she’s carved out a quiet existence as a hairdresser. But the past refuses to stay silent. As the voices grow louder and a nosy neighbor demands her attention, Kira is forced to confront the truth of her origins and the supernatural gifts she's long suppressed. Can she untangle the mysteries of her past before they unravel her present?The rhythmic hum of the bus was a familiar lullaby, but today, it was punctuated by the hushed, excited whispers from the seat behind Kira. Two girls, oblivious to anyone but themselves, spun a tale of burgeoning romance and unspoken desires. Kira, head resting against the cool window, found herself an unwilling, yet captivated, audience.
She wasn't trying to eavesdrop, not really. But their animated voices, full of giddy giggles and dramatic pauses, carried effortlessly through the morning air. It was a stark contrast to her own quiet existence, a reminder of the vibrant, complicated lives others led.
“Have you told him yet?” one girl whispered, her voice bubbling with anticipation.
“No,” the other replied, a surprising flatness to her tone that made Kira frown. This was the main storyteller, the one who’d just been proposed to days ago. Her earlier excitement had vanished, replaced by a quiet reservation.
Kira sighed, shifting slightly in her seat. The bus jostled over a pothole, and the girls instantly fell silent, only to resume their conversation moments later. It was a practiced dance, a momentary pause for an unseen audience. She knew the feeling. Some secrets, even when shared on a public bus, were meant for specific ears, or perhaps, no ears at all.
