SHADOWS AND LIGHT

Chapter 5: The Abbys

Chapter 5: The Abyss

Mira spent the next few days in a haze. Each morning, she would wake up to the same gray skies, the same heavy silence that surrounded her. The weight of her depression felt like it was suffocating her, every breath becoming a struggle. She stayed in bed most of the time, her body tired and sluggish, her mind a blur of thoughts that refused to settle.

She tried to do simple things — shower, eat, open the blinds — but it all felt pointless. Every action, no matter how small, was a reminder of how disconnected she had become from the world. It was like she was living in a parallel universe, one where everyone else moved with purpose and intention, while she was stuck in place, unable to find her way back.

The texts from her mother continued, more persistent now, asking if Mira was okay. "Please, sweetie, just let me know you’re alright." But Mira couldn’t bring herself to respond. The thought of talking to anyone, of explaining how she felt, seemed impossible. What could she say? What could anyone say that would make it better? Nothing seemed to help, and the idea of opening up to someone made her feel even more exposed, more vulnerable.

On the third night, as she sat by the window again, watching the rain fall in endless sheets, Mira felt an overwhelming sense of despair wash over her. It wasn’t just sadness anymore. It was a deep, aching emptiness, the kind that made everything feel irrelevant. She didn’t know how much longer she could keep pretending that everything was fine when it wasn’t. She had tried to push it all down — the pain, the isolation, the emptiness — but it was becoming too much.

That night, she stood up from her chair and walked to the kitchen. She hadn’t eaten much in days, just the occasional bite of something quick. She wasn’t hungry; she hadn’t been for a long time. But she moved mechanically, taking a glass from the cupboard, filling it with water, and staring at her reflection in the dim light.

She felt like a stranger looking back at her.

Her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Sarah. "I’m really worried, Mira. I know you’re going through something, but I’m here for you. Please talk to me."

Mira’s hands trembled as she stared at the message. She wanted to reach out, wanted to tell Sarah how lost she felt, but the words wouldn’t come. She couldn’t bring herself to be vulnerable, to admit just how far gone she was.

Instead, she set the phone down and turned away, retreating back into the silence. The world outside seemed so far away, so out of reach.

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