The morning air crackled, buzzing with energy as Maya bounced down the stairs, already humming along to the music blasting from her headphones. Sunlight sliced through the kitchen window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. "Morning, Mom!" she chirped, grabbing a banana and practically skipping out the door, her backpack swinging with a happy rhythm. A text message notification pinged just as she stepped outside, and her grin widened. It was a photo from Liam, a silly selfie with tongues out. Everything felt electric.
Later that day, cleaning out a cupboard, a forgotten tablet fell to the floor. Curiosity piqued, she picked it up, intending to put it on charge. But something stopped her. It had been her daughter, Chloe's. The screen flickered to life. A social media app – unfamiliar – was open. Photos. Videos. Chloe, laughing, hanging out with friends, making jokes. None of the curated content she usually shared. A strange tightness squeezed her chest.
The color drained from her face as she scrolled. The comments were different, the tone harsher, and the person in the photos was...unrecognizable. A wave of nausea washed over her. She slammed the tablet back on the counter, a hollow ache spreading through her.