Gaining Trust

DAY 1

Apollo and I sat on the living room floor, the weight of what just happened still pressing heavily on my chest. My mind raced, replaying every second of my brief interaction with Emma.

I had seen her. Heard her voice.

But I hadn’t told her the truth.

I exhaled sharply and looked at Apollo, who studied me with patience, waiting for me to process everything.

“She didn’t recognize me,” I whispered. “She looked at me like I was a stranger.”

Apollo nodded. “That’s part of the deal, Mia. No one will recognize you—not as you were.”

I swallowed hard. “Then how do I reach her? How do I… how do I get close to her?”

Apollo leaned back against the couch, tapping his fingers against his knee in thought. “Well, let’s start with what we know. You have two days. That’s not a lot of time, but it’s enough to make an impact.”

I bit my lip, my mind racing. “She’s still in school, which means she probably has a routine. If I can get close enough to her, maybe I can… I don’t know, be someone she trusts?”

Apollo nodded. “Exactly. You need to become part of her life, even if just for a little while. That way, when the time comes, she’ll listen to you.”

I hugged my knees to my chest. “How, though? I can’t just walk up and say, ‘Hey, want to be best friends?’”

Apollo smirked. “No, but you don’t have to. You already have an in.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

He gestured toward the window. “Her mom. Hester seems friendly, and she welcomed you to the neighbourhood. If you play your cards right, she might just invite you in.”

I nodded slowly, considering it. Hester did seem warm and open. Maybe if I found a way to run into her again, I could earn her trust first.

“I could start by introducing myself properly,” I murmured. “Maybe offer to help with something. If Hester sees me as reliable, she’ll let me be around Emma more often.”

“Exactly,” Apollo agreed. “And once Emma starts seeing you as a familiar face, you can figure out a way to talk to her—to warn her.”

My stomach twisted. “Warn her… about what?”

Apollo’s expression darkened. “About the night she dies.”

A chill ran down my spine.

I already knew that was the end goal, but hearing it out loud made it real.

I clenched my fists. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to do that. She wouldn’t believe me.”

“Then make her believe you,” Apollo said firmly. “You don’t have much time, Mia. You’ve been given a second chance—use it wisely.”

I took a shaky breath and nodded. “Okay. I’ll start by getting close to Hester. If I can gain her trust, I’ll have a way in.”

Apollo smiled. “That’s the spirit.”

But as I sat there, something else gnawed at me.

Saving Emma wasn’t enough.

If I didn’t do more—if I didn’t get through to her, find a way to change what happened—I would still be the same Mia. The one who lost control. The one who made all the wrong choices.

And even if I saved Emma, what if I still ended up in jail?

I rubbed my temples, a headache forming. “Apollo, what if I—what if I mess this up? What if I don’t just need to save Emma, but also… younger me?”

Apollo tilted his head. “Go on.”

I took a deep breath. “If I can learn more about younger me—who I was, how I felt, the choices I was making—maybe I can change her. Maybe I can set her on the right path so that none of this happens.”

Apollo’s expression softened. “You mean… change your own fate?”

I nodded. “Yes. Because if I don’t, I might still go to jail. My life might still fall apart. I might still end up as her—the Mia who lost everything.”

He was quiet for a moment, then nodded in understanding. “That’s a good plan, Mia. It won’t be easy, but if you play this right, you won’t just save Emma. You’ll save yourself, too.”

Determination settled in my chest.

I had two days.

To save Emma.

To change my fate.

And to finally make things right.

The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow over the neighbourhood. I stood in front of the mirror in the small bathroom of the house Apollo and I were using. My reflection was unfamiliar—Sandy, the name I had given myself, was supposed to be a fresh start.

But how could I be someone new when the weight of my past clung to me so tightly?

I exhaled sharply, pushing away the self-doubt. I didn’t have time to overthink.

Steeling myself, I left the house and walked toward Emma’s.

Hester was outside, tending to the small flower bed beneath the porch. She wiped her hands on a cloth and glanced up as I approached.

“Well, if it isn’t our new neighbour,” she greeted with a kind smile.

I forced myself to relax, returning the smile. “Hey, Hester. I just wanted to stop by and properly introduce myself. I kind of ran off earlier.”

She chuckled. “You did seem in a hurry. But it’s fine, dear. It’s good to meet you again.”

I glanced at the flower bed, the soil freshly turned. “Your garden looks beautiful.”

Hester beamed. “Thank you! I try my best, but it’s a lot of work.”

I hesitated before offering, “Would you like some help? I don’t know much about gardening, but I can follow directions.”

Hester’s eyes lit up. “Oh, that would be wonderful! It’s been a while since someone offered to lend a hand.”

I crouched beside her and started helping, listening as she told me about each plant. It was a simple task, but it made me feel like I was doing something—like I was taking the first real step toward Emma.

As we worked, the front door opened, and Emma stepped out onto the porch.

“Oh, hey… Sandy, right?” she said, tilting her head.

I nodded. “Yep, that’s me.”

She watched me for a moment before glancing at her mom. “She’s helping with the garden?”

Hester smiled. “Yes, isn’t that nice?”

Emma shrugged. “Yeah, I guess.” She sat on the steps, scrolling through her phone.

An idea sparked in my mind. “You know, Emma, I was thinking of exploring town later. Since I’m new here, I was wondering if you’d want to show me around?”

She looked up, surprised. “Me?”

“Well, yeah. Who better to show me the best spots?” I smiled, hoping I sounded casual.

Emma hesitated. For a moment, I thought she’d refuse, but then she shrugged. “I mean… I guess I could. There’s not much to see, though.”

“I’d still like to,” I said quickly.

She sighed dramatically but smirked a little. “Fine. Tomorrow after school, I’ll take you around.”

My heart lifted. This was progress.

“Great,” I said. “Thanks, Emma.”

Hester chuckled. “Look at that, you’ve already made a friend.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Mom.”

I laughed, feeling the first small victory settle in my chest.

One step closer.

One step toward saving her.

One step toward changing my fate.