Page 24 of Hidden Echoes

"Korean," she murmurs, almost to herself, processing the word. She turns back to the rhythm, totally absorbed in the music. Her head starts to bob ever so slightly.

It’s cute, watching her get lost in things like this. The way she notices the world for the first time—as if everything is new and exciting. It's funny, but also kinda heartbreaking.

Stop being stupid, Zane. The girl just told you she was locked away her entire life, and you’re over here finding joy in her wonder?

I shake my head, trying to push away the softness creeping into my chest. She's been through hell, and I have no idea if I can help her.

Her smile flickers—tiny but real—and it makes my stomach twist. Then I notice something else: she starts moving her head a little more, like she's trying to decode a message that only she can hear. It’s such a raw, innocent look—like she's solving the puzzle of the world one beat at a time.“Nice,” she says, genuinely happy, her voice warm and sweet in a way that feels almost contagious.

Her fingers drum lightly on her leg, perfectly in rhythm with the music playing from the speakers.

The sheer excitement in her expression draws out an involuntary smile from me.

“That music…” she starts, her voice trailing off in thought. “It makes me feel like I’m gearing up for a battle. Like something is about to explode.”

Her lips curl into a smile—the kind of smile I’ve already come to associate with impending chaos.

It’s not that Mia causes trouble intentionally. It’s more like she invites it, embraces it, and maybe even thrives on it.

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. “That’s very Blackpink of them, actually. But the song isn’t about explosions. It’s about overcoming obstacles, self-love… you know, those things.”

“Then why is it in two languages?” she asks, leaning in closer to the dashboard, her head tilting as though trying to decode the lyrics. “I didn’t understand the beginning.”

I glance her way, amused by her earnest curiosity. “They mix Korean and English because they’re part of a global group. It’s their way of reaching people from all over the world. Kind of like a cultural bridge.”

Her eyes light up in understanding. “Lo entiendo perfectamente,” she says, switching to fluent Spanish.

I blink in surprise, caught off guard. I recognize the words, even if my own Spanish is rusty. But it’s her fluency—and the way her English doesn’t carry even a hint of an accent—that makes her an even bigger mystery.

“You speak Spanish?” I ask, trying to sound casual.

She shrugs. “Sometimes. Not much use for it where I grew up, though.”

This girl, I think, is full of surprises.

“A bridge of explosions and loud crashes,” she says, circling back to her earlier observation and sounding fully satisfied with her conclusion. “It’s fascinating. I wish I’d heard this kind of music before. It makes you want to… dance. Can we?”

I snort. “You want me to dance? While driving? That would definitely make for an explosive end to our trip.”

She laughs. “You never dance? Not even a little? Like, when you’re alone?”

I shrug, keeping my face carefully neutral. “I… have my moments. But generally, I just listen.”

Mia turns to me, her expression one of exaggerated shock. “You’re so mysterious,” she teases, swaying her head lightly to the rhythm of the music. “It’s kind of intriguing, little angel.”

“‘Mysterious’? There’s nothing mysterious about me,” I reply, shaking my head with a small chuckle. “I’m just… reserved, I guess.”

“Do you have siblings?” she asks suddenly, and I stiffen, caught off guard by the question. I don’t let my discomfort show, but it takes me a beat too long to respond.

“Yeah,” I say finally. “A brother and a sister.”

Her face lights up. “Me too! Though… My brother is not alive and I don’t know where my sister is.” Her voice softens with the confession.

I glance at her briefly. “Hopefully, she is safe. In peace.”

She smiles at that, but it’s faint and tinged with something sad. “You must think I’m stupid.”

“What? Why would I think that?”

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