The Bathroom Break

Miron's feet crunched against the frosty ground as he walked with his mother, inhaling the crisp air into his lungs. It was like a breath of fresh air after being cooped up in his father's small apartment for so long. The scent of pine trees mixed with the chilly breeze invigorated him with a sense of freedom.

As they arrived at his mother's car which was parked by the pavement, Miron couldn't help but notice how different it was from his father's old, beat-up sedan. This one was sleek and modern, with a glossy black finish that shone in the sunlight. The leather seats were heated, warming him up as he sat down and buckled his seatbelt.

The drive was quiet, the only sound being the soft hum of the engine as they made their way through the winding roads. He glanced up at his mother through the rearview mirror, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

"How have you been holding up?" she asked, glancing at him through the rearview mirror.

"Fine, I guess," he murmured, unsure of how to express his jumbled emotions.

"Don't resent your mother too much," she said with a heavy sigh, her eyes reflecting the pain she had endured living with his father. "It was really hard for me to live with that guy."

Miron simply nodded, his thoughts still racing as they continued the drive in silence. The awkwardness hung heavy in the air, suffocating him with its weight.

As they turned onto the long driveway leading up to his mother's house, Miron couldn't believe his eyes. It was like something out of a movie, a grandiose mansion looming in front of him with its tall pillars and marble accents. The front lawn was expansive, stretching out as far as the eye could see, dotted with useless statues and strange poles for decoration. It was unlike anything he had ever seen, and Miron couldn't help but feel intimidated by the grandeur of it all.

Miron's eyes widened as he gazed into the distance, taking in the impressive sight of the mansion before him. The property was surrounded by a vast expanse of perfectly manicured lawns, with rows of shrubs and trees lining the perimeter. Miron's heart skipped a beat as he realized that this must be his mother's new home.

Miron noticed the stark contrast between this neighborhood and his old one. The streets were lined with towering trees and well-manicured lawns, and every house was situated at a considerable distance from the others. The houses were all unique and impressive, but none could match the grandeur of his mother's mansion.

As his mother entered the passcode to open the door, Miron caught a glimpse of the state-of-the-art security system that protected the house. He had never seen anything like it before and couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.

As they stepped into the entrance hall, Miron's eyes were immediately drawn to the grandeur of the high ceilings. The chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling illuminated the entire room, casting a warm glow on the marble floors beneath their feet. The walls were lined with exquisite artwork and sculptures, and the air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers.

As they made their way through the grand lounge, Miron couldn't help but feel like he had stepped back in time. The room was filled with plush sofas and antique furniture, giving it an old-world charm. The walls were lined with portraits of his mother and her ancestors probably--he couldn't tell, and the fireplace at the far end of the room crackled warmly.

As they climbed the ornate staircase to the workspace upstairs, He was amazed by the beauty of the architecture. The high arched windows let in an abundance of natural light, illuminating the beautiful artwork that adorned the walls. He couldn't help but wonder how many rooms there must be in such a grand mansion and felt grateful to have the opportunity to explore it.

As Miron's mother approached the desk, The hologram of the young girl caught his attention, and he couldn't help but feel curious about it. She was dressed in a sleek, futuristic outfit, and her eyes glowed with a cool blue light. As she spoke, her voice was calm and professional. "You've got a note, Ms.Kira".

His mother nodded, engrossed in something on her tablet. "Who is it from?" she asked.

"It's from Selena Moir," the AI replied.

Miron's heart sank as he heard the name, Selena Moir. The woman they had encountered in the woods was back in their lives, and he didn't know what to expect. He felt a sense of dread creeping up on him, wondering what kind of trouble she could bring.

'The surveillance Team?' his mother wondered aloud as she put down her tablet.

His mother asked again, speaking more clearly, "What does she say?".

After a brief silence, the AI spoke, "She reminds you about the trespassers and blacking them out."

His mother sighed, "Oh, about that" and Miron's heart pounded faster.

"Tell her that I'm already on it," his mother replied, raising her brows as she looked at Miron and then towards the window where the afternoon sunlight streamed in.

As his mother spoke with the AI, Miron couldn't help but feel like he was in over his head. He didn't understand what was going on, and he didn't know how to handle the situation. His mother's warm smile seemed fake and bitter now, and he couldn't help but feel like he was gonna get into trouble sooner.

The AI concluded by saying, "That's all for now, I will update you soon Ms. Kira, Enjoy your Afternoon."

As his mother poured him a cup of tea, Miron felt a lump form in his throat. He didn't want to be here, the abuse of his father seemed better than the unknown trouble that was awaiting him.

"Something's troubling you, dear?" his mother continued, noticing his lack of response.

"Well....I.....How can I get to the bathroom?" Miron blurted out nervously.

Feeling overwhelmed, Miron blurted out that he needed to use the bathroom, desperate for a moment alone to collect his thoughts.

"Oh dear, it's down the hall--Sarah will assist you", saying this his mother tapped on her desk.

The AI's hologram lit up.

"Lead Miron to the nearest Bathroom", she said to the AI.

"For sure", the AI replied in a cool tone and her voice echoed close to where Miron was standing prompting him to jerk a bit.

"Walk down the stairs, you'll find the main entrance-- turn left and walk seven steps towards--"

The AI's voice followed him as he walked by himself.

He decided to run for it when he took a step to go outside when the AI said, "That's a right turn, Miron, you have to walk straight", his heart sank, it was just like having someone tailing you.

"Sorry," he muttered, afraid that his mother would hear the AI.

"No worries"

The voice continued until he finally reached the bathroom. He quickly entered, closing the door behind him.

Miron's heart raced as he tried to think of a way out of this situation. He couldn't help but feel like he was trapped in some kind of futuristic, high-tech prison. The bathroom, with its sleek and modern design, only added to his sense of unease. He looked at himself in the mirror and saw fear reflected back at him in his own eyes. He splashed water on his face, trying to calm down.

'Is she part of that building too?' he thought to himself. He can't stay in the bathroom forever, he has to think of something.

As he walked around, his footsteps echoed in the spacious bathroom, making him feel even more isolated. He wondered if his mother was watching him on some kind of surveillance camera, monitoring his every move. He couldn't help but feel like he was being watched.

He looked down at his pocket and remembered his phone. He took it out and tried to call Billie, but the call was aborted before it could even connect. He felt a sense of panic rising inside him. He tried calling Ivan, hoping that he would answer.

Before the call connected, he heard a knock at the bathroom door. His mother's voice rang out, making him freeze in fear. He felt like a trapped animal, with no way out.

"Miron dear, there's someone looking for you," his mother said out loud.