It would never have happened, if she hadn't been late...

Maphi's red tangles of hair danced with the wind as she curled into a ball, streams of salt missed water smearing her face.She continued to dig her nails into her arms- burying her face in her knees.

Near her, the sirens whistled and men scampered around the tiny cafe.She didn't hear it, not the yelling or the sirens, All she saw were the splashes of vermillion bool seeping through the cavities in the wooden floor.Stained with the remains of a lifeless body.

All she cared for was lost.

Completely lost.

Just 2 weeks ago, when Jane- Maphi's sister was still alone, there were normal.The lost their parents years ago but they were happy.It was then, that they met Sam.He was a 5 year old boy, an orphan with cheese coloured hair that hung on his head.He was chubby and freckled with a wide cracked smile, permanently painted on his face.

Jane adored Sam, she thought he was 'cute' and so, they adopted him. Jane was happy then too.When she rambled the house with Sam, dressed like a pirate- her blond locks of hair loosely falling over her face and vivid blues that mimicked Maphi's- she was happy then.

When she smiled,the world lit up with her.

The days they didn't work as nurses in the local hospital- they would explore Los Angeles like explorers on a deserted island.Even then, Jane was happy.

Maphi recalled, it was a blistering hot Monday, and they were all on the lawn- their day off from work.She remembered Jane was picking daisies and Sam was playing with a toy plane. The think enveloped that post man handed- changed everything.

Maphi's still remembered it's contents-

Dear Samuel Edward Gane,

I am delighted to inform you that you are not an orphan as the orphanage first stated. A simple accident as led to your destination in the orphanage. Your parents have searched hard and long for you and, finally we have found you! I am your lawyer and this Friday, get ready to meet your real family on the tiny Cafe point on QWX street.

Regards,

Richard Markson

Lawyer

Jane grew anxious, she was quite fond of Same and this news hit her the hardest.She kept mumbling "this is good, this is good" but not even the walls were convinced. Soon, they continued receiving letter about, Sam's family  and their immense wealth...

Sam was young, he could not apprehend his situation.He did not understand why Jane cried so much or why she hugged him like it would be their last hug.

Maphi on the other hand, grew dubious of Richard Markson- who has never given them any letters written from Sam's parents who seem to have loved him so much.

Something wasn't right...

On that Friday morning, she checked in with the orphanage about Sam. As she rushed up the stairs to the orphanage, she constantly received calls from Jane- 'not to be late'.

Later, enquiry with the orphanage detailed that Sam was rich and his fortune was assigned to his guardians but his parents- were in fact , dead.

Suddenly, every loose piece of the puzzle fell in place. The coffee shop was a trap. Maphi, immediately flustered, called Jane and assured her that the coffee shop wasn't safe.

That evening, Maphi couldn't run fast enough and Jane would never give up Sam to false parents. So that Friday...

Jane and Sam hit the floor for the last time.

And Maphi never forgave herself for being late...