LOST

We all imagine our moments of glory, those perfect scenes we replay like a favourite movie. Our quiet dreams. But the harsh truth? Dreams don’t always come true. One moment, you’re living your best life... the next, you’re running for your life. Ella’s POV My heart pounded in my chest. Sweat dripped down my face as I tore through the thick forest on this godforsaken island. My lungs burned. My vision blurred. Every inch of my body screamed at me to stop. But I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. If I stopped, even for a second, I might die. And I wasn’t ready to die. Not here. Not like this. I didn’t fully understand what was happening, everything was a blur. But I knew one thing: I had to survive. I had to escape this island, even if it was the last thing I ever did. I know you’re probably wondering how I ended up in this mess. Why I’m running like my life depends on it... Well because it does. And... it all started with a love story. I know. It sounds insane. I was ready to give up on love when he came into my life. I should’ve known better. I should’ve seen through his charm, his perfect smile. But I didn’t. And now, here I am running for my life because of it. But to make sense of it all, I need to take you back to the beginning. Back to when it all began. Three Months Earlier “Ella, get up and take a shower!” my best friend Alex yelled from across the room. “No. I’m just going to rot here and let the cat eat my dead body,” I mumbled, my head buried in my pillow. “Well, as your best friend, I refuse to let that happen,” Alex said, yanking the covers off me. “Stop!” I shouted, trying to grab them back. “You need to get out of this bed, hell, out of this house. You can’t keep doing this,” she said, throwing open the window. “Alex! No! It burns!” I cried as the sunlight hit my face like a spotlight of shame. “Are you a vampire now?” she asked, rolling her eyes. “Maybe. A heartbroken, unloved vampire. Maybe I’ll start a vampire cult where I turn all men into the undead so they can finally love me,” I muttered, trying not to cry. “Bullshit,” Alex said firmly, rushing over to hug me. “You’re the most lovable person I know. If Liam didn’t see that, it’s his loss.” “Five years, Alex,” I whispered as the tears finally fell. “I gave him five years of my life. I thought he was going to propose. Instead… he broke up with me.” My heart ached all over again. “What’s wrong with me?” I asked, looking up at her through teary eyes. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing,” she said. “No. There has to be something. Wait am I that ugly? Is that it?” I said, shaking my head. “Ella, stop this self-hate right now,” Alex ordered. “You’re beautiful. You’re perfect. Liam was just too blind and stupid to see it. He’s the one who lost something, not you.” “You’re going to find someone who loves you for you. Someone who wants to marry you and build a life with you. And then you’ll laugh at the tears you wasted on that jerk.” “Are you sure,” I whispered. “100%,” she smiled. “Now go shower, because you stink, my dear friend,” she added, nudging me off the bed. “Seriously?” I asked, offended. “Oh yeah. That’s what a month of wallowing smells like.” “It’s not a month,” I said. “It is. I’ve been counting.” I sniffed myself. She was right. I smelled like a dying raccoon. And my room? A war zone of tissues and dirty laundry. “Ugh, fine. I’ll shower,” I groaned. “Thank you. While you do that, I’ll clean up this disaster zone you call a room,” she said. “Thanks,” I murmured as I headed to the bathroom. Standing in front of the mirror, I barely recognized myself. Puffy eyes. Swollen face. A girl broken by love. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. By now, I should’ve been planning a wedding, not crying in the shower. I’d even bought the dress. Expensive, beautiful, ready for the proposal that never came. Instead, I got: “I’m sorry. I just can’t do this anymore.” I had always dreamed of a small, cosy home. A family. Two kids. A life full of love. I thought Liam would give me that. I wanted him to give me that. But the universe had other plans. As the warm water ran down my body, I let it wash over my pain. It calmed me, and cleared my head. But it couldn’t stop the ache in my heart. Still, I stepped out feeling just a little bit lighter. Back in my room, I was shocked to see it spotless. “You’re welcome,” Alex grinned. “Wow. You outdid yourself,” I said as I headed to the closet. “I always do,” she said with a wink. “Ella,” she called gently. I peeked out from behind the wardrobe. “Don’t be mad, but the girls invited us out to the club tonight.” “No way. I’m not ready for people yet,” I said, walking over to her. “Mandy’s idea, and I agree. You need to get out of this house. It’ll help,” Alex said. “But what if I run into Liam?” I asked, collapsing dramatically onto the bed. “Ella, the odds of that happening are, like, zero,” she laughed. “But still…” “Come on, you need this,” Alex pleaded. She gave me those puppy-dog eyes. I never stood a chance. “Fine. We’ll go,” I said. Alex squealed. “But if I cry when I see a happy couple, it’s your fault,” I warned. She laughed. “You’ll be fine.” “Okay, but I don’t have anything to wear,” I added. “Girl, please. That’s just an excuse. I know there’s something in that wardrobe. Let’s go find it,” she said, dragging me into the closet.