Chapter 1 Murder

My life has always been a bed of roses, streaming me with undeniable happiness but everything changed when I found out that my family isn't actually mine. How did I find out?

Well, after spending twenty-two years with them, I discovered I have a Mitochondrial disorder and I needed to get some tests done to check how bad it was, and doing that process, I found out that my DNA didn't match any of my family members.

It felt like my entire world had been turned upside down. I confronted my parents, and they finally revealed the truth: I was adopted.

I still can't believe that I'm adopted. My adoptive parents never made me feel I'm adopted nor did they ever mention it. Honestly, I didn't know how to feel about the situation but one thing is for sure- I can never trust my adoptive parents anymore. If they could lie to me for twenty-two years, I can't help but think they can do anything.

Despite I was completely heartbroken, I felt an overwhelming urge to search for my biological family, hoping to piece together the fragments of my identity. My adoptive parents, unfortunately, had no information about my family background, leaving me to rely on my own efforts. But after a long and painstaking search, I finally found a lead that could connect me to my roots. Now, I am about to meet someone who might hold the key to my family history.

His name is Jose, and although I don't know him personally or know anything about him, he was the only match that appeared on the DNA app, which felt like a stroke of luck considering how long I had waited for results.

Sitting at the bar of the club, I ordered a drink to calm my nerves as I awaited Jose's arrival. I couldn't help but wonder why he chose such a public spot for our meeting.

I glanced around, taking in the crowd-people laughing, dancing, and lost in their own worlds.

When the bartender brought my soft drink, I took a moment to savor it, allowing the coolness to soothe my anxious thoughts but unfortunately, it didn't, my mind kept racing with so many thoughts, what if Jose doesn't show up? What if this whole thing was a mistake? What if Jose is a scam and he's just trying to scam me?

I've never been in a crowded place like this before, and the overwhelming energy makes me feel really uncomfortable. This is my first time at a club, and honestly, it's not an experience I'm eager to repeat. The constant screaming and dancing around me only amplifies my anxiety, as the noise and movement create a chaotic atmosphere that feels foreign. I find myself wishing for a quieter space, where I can escape the intensity of it all, catch my breath and feel more alive.

"Hello, darling." I suddenly heard a strange man's voice from behind me.

I turned around and saw a man standing there, he smiled "You're really beautiful what's your name?"

I hesitated for a moment wondering why he was talking to me, guys never talk to me. Quietly I respond "I'm Nala."

"Nice to meet you Nala, I'm Joel." He said as he took a seat next to me. "So Nala, I've been looking at you and I'm wondering, what a beautiful girl like you is doing here alone, are you waiting for someone?"

"Yes,"

"Your boyfriend?" He asked and I shook my head "No, it's just someone I know."

"Oh that's nice, maybe we could talk before that 'someone' comes." He suggested

"Okay but actually I'm not looking to have a conversation."

He scoffed "Tell me about yourself."

"I.. umm.." I rambled wondering what to say. I'm not used to talking to strangers. Finally, I said, "I'm a writer."

"What's nice, I love writers."

"Thanks."

"Yeah, no problem." He said, moving closer to me. "You're really pretty Nala, like really pretty."

"Thanks," I replied, suddenly feeling a little uncomfortable by his behavior

He nodded and began leaning closer to my face, at first I didn't move but when he was just mere inches away from me, I instantly pulled back, wondering what he was doing.

He laughed, "Relax, I'm just chilling."

"Umm... I think I want to be on my own, please."

He scoffed, "Why?"

"You're being weird," I said, trying to maintain a calm tone.

"No, I'm not, I'm not being weird at all darling, I just want to talk to you." He said, moving closer to me again, but I moved back once more, this time standing up from my chair.

"No," I said firmly, my voice laced with a hint of annoyance.

"Relax darling, we are all adults here, we can have fun." He said, walking closer to me with a stern smirk on his face. "I just want us to have fun, don't you like having fun?" Before I could even respond, he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him. "Let's have fun," he said, inching his lips closer to my face. I instantly pushed him away and quickly rushed out of the club, my heart pounding in my chest.

I stood a few feet away from the club, trying to catch my breath, when I suddenly heard a piercing sound echoed in the distance. Panic filled me up and I quickly began to run away thinking its danger. I've never been in such locations before but my adoptive parents, Fiona and Richard have always warned me about places like this.

I was running, my breath coming in ragged gasps, my heart hammering in my chest. I didn't even notice I'd stepped on something until I glanced down at my shoe and saw the blood. Immediately, I panicked but before I could process what I was seeing, I turned to my right feeling a presence. And that's when I saw him.

He was sprawled on the ground, his body twisted at an unnatural angle, a dark stain blooming on his chest. It was Jose- the same Jose was I supposed to meet.

I looked up, and my eyes dawned on the men surrounding him, one holding a gun which cleared up everything... Jose's being murdered.

My heart shattered at the thought of that. I couldn't speak, couldn't scream, couldn't even breathe, as if the air itself had been sucked out of my lungs, leaving me gasping for a breath that never came and before I knew it, I collapsed on the ground.