Mia's POV

My eyes scan the laptop screen reading another article about the wrong Xavier once again. A scoff leaves my lips as I click off once again.

There is a knock on my door and Uncle Luca walks in without any permission. I slam my laptop screen shut before he can see what I was searching for and crush my finger into the edge of it.

"OW!"

I put my finger in my mouth trying to soothe the pinching pain that was subsiding. Uncle Luca rushed in to see if I was alright a low growl leaving his mouth. He took the finger out of my mouth and watched as it slowly became red.

"Are you alright?"

"I am fine. What did you need?"

Uncle Luca closed his eyes and breathed deeply as if he was trying to calm himself down a bit.

"I was heading out and I wanted to see my niece one last time before leaving."

A smile makes his way to his lips and he opens his bright green eyes staring at me deeply. I give him a big hug and feel my finger burn at the touch of his cotton shirt.

"Oh, uh. Let me come walk you down!"

We pulled away from the sweet hug and headed down to the front door to say our final greetings. Mom and Dad had already said their final goodbye's and the rest of my Uncles left hours before. It was now my turn and it always was the hardest thing to do.

"Alright Mia, I will see you soon kiddo, don't grow up on me." Uncle Luca said jokingly.

I chuckle a tiny bit and nod at his statement pulling him into another embrace. He patted my back and gave me a small kiss on the forehead.

Maybe, Uncle Luca could explain to me about Xavier. I mean, I have never been to his and Aunt Diana's home, it would be interesting to finally go! I could use it to my advantage to find some clues about his missing body.

"Can I go with you Uncle Luca?" I blurt out.

He froze in my grasp and immediately was out of it. I saw him shake his head 'no' in fast motion while gulping his spit as he was nervous.

"Oh, uh-"

"Of course not! We wouldn't want to bother Uncle Luca." Mom cuts him off.

I turn around and watch her stand with arms folded over her chest.

"Why not? I have never been to their house! Plus, I really want to see Aunt Diana,"

"Personal reasons Mia, you need to understand that," Mom spoke with venom in her voice.

I scoff angrily. It was just a request and it was true! I had never in my 18 years of being born in this world been to their home. Hmm, I could just sneak out and follow Uncle Luca back to his place. But how would I sneak out?

"Alright."

My eyes wander to the floor with sadness and I play with a small strand of hair that fell over my shoulder. Uncle Luca sighed sadly and caressed my cheek with his thumb.

"Someday you can come, right now...just isn't a good time." Uncle Luca whispered in front of me.

I close my eyes and nod. He gives one last goodbye and shuts the door behind himself. Mom rubs my back for comfort but I ignore it.

"Mom, I am going to head upstairs. I-I just need some time alone," My voice sounded raspy from holding back tears.

"Take all the time you need,"

I rushed up the stairs and lock my door to prevent Mom or Dad from coming in and checking up on me. I quickly grab the backpack Uncle Alex had bought me and tossed random garments of clothing wherever it could fit. I also took the stash of money that was in my closet that I had been saving up for something special. 400 dollars to be exact.

I grab my phone off of the charger and head to the small window that was placed on the wall next to my bed. My legs climbed on top of the bed while my hands fiddled to open the window. My legs soon dangled out and my hands grasped the window sill.

My eyes look down at the grass and the lattice with Mom's favorite plants. I jump with a small yelp and hold onto the lattice which helped me climb down our two-story home.

A small sigh leaves my pale lips and I start sprinting toward the bus stop. Uncle Luca had told me that he had taken the city buses toward the airport and to our house which wasn't smart on his part, I mean did he really think I wouldn't remember?

As I was sprinting for a couple of minutes I saw the bus stop at its normal stop. I saw Uncle Luca stepping foot into the bus and I slowed down while pulling a hood up to hide my face. I stared at my feet and make my way into the bus.

Uncle Luca sat in the very back while I took a seat in the front to avoid any suspicion. Some classic rock played in the background which I knew Uncle Luca was humming.

"Hello?" His voice rumbled.

I glance up in the large rearview mirror of the bus watching Uncle Luca's actions intently as his phone was on his ear.

"Hey love," He continued to speak.

Right away I knew that it was Aunt Diana. He hummed in response a few times while picking at his nails.

"Everything went well. She missed you though very much. Before I left, Mia asked if she could come with me,"

I stare deeply at him as guilt flooded his eyes. He swallowed the ball of spit from sadness.

"No, we can't let her know. Diana, she could get hurt or even worse killed if she found out!"

Woah, killed? I was kind of scared about following Uncle Luca now but there was no way I can go back now.

"Honey, I know it is hard to hear me but I can not talk too loud...I am in front of all these, humans."

I raise my eyebrow in confusion and let out a snort as Uncle Luca referred to all of us as humans like he wasn't one.

"It almost feels like Mia is here with me like I can smell her."

My eyes widen when he spoke like that, did he know that I would attempt to follow him back home? I wish I knew what Aunt Diana was saying but from the look of Uncle Luca's face, she probably thought he was crazy.

"Hmm, maybe you are right. I did hug her and Mia's smell is still on me."

Oh boy, this was going to be a long ride.

*****

We had finally made it to the airport. I had waited for Uncle Luca to exit the bus first before following after him quietly.

He checked the watch on his wrist to check the time and I pulled out my phone to do the same.

'12:53pm'

I saw him look up at the boarding times while digging into his jacket pocket to pull out the boarding pass. It read 'Colorado' in big bold letters on the top while it had a long number on the bottom

Shoot. I didn't have a ticket. I look up at the times and see that I had fifteen minutes to figure out a way to get a ticket to Colorado.

My feet stumble over each other as I make it to the front desk for assistance. The lady had a large smile slapped on her face and immediately I knew that it was fake. Her blond hair was tied neatly in a braided bun and her blue eyes reminded me of Mom.

"Hi, how can I help you?"

"Oh, I need one ticket to Colorado please."

"Alright, will that be a one-way ticket or a round trip?"

Well damn, I could just get a one-way ticket and then when Uncle Luca and Aunt Diana find out I am there, they can help me buy a ticket back. Hopefully.

"One way will be fine."

"Alright, it seems like I have two tickets left but they are both first-class meaning they will be a bit pricey."

I stare into her eyes hoping she would tell me something I would enjoy hearing. Sadly it wasn't.

"It'll be around $1650.00."

"WHAT?!?" I screech

My hand slaps my mouth so I wouldn't draw any more attention to myself especially so Uncle Luca couldn't find me. From Utah to Colorado? Hell no! I would rather walk!

"No way, that is way too much out of my budget, do you have anything else. Something for maybe like I don't know 400 dollars?"

The computer mouse clicked while she was looking at her screen once more before clicking her tongue. She shook her head and shrugged her shoulders in a slight manner.

"I am sorry sweetie, but that is all we have for now."

I walk away from the desk and take a seat. I close my eyes and breathe in deeply trying to figure something out.

"Are you okay?"

My eyes open to meet with some deep brown eyes of an older man he had some chocolate-colored hair and a small beard growing.

"I'm...fine," I spoke wearily.

He pointed to the seat next to me and asked permission to sit next to me. I scooted away from him at the thought of him kidnapping me, but it didn't seem to happen.

"My name is Matt. And you are?"

"Oh, I am Mia," I spoke blandly.

He nodded slowly at my response.

"I knew a Mia once. Or well I knew her family and saw her grow up before they left. I have been trying to find her because I really wanted to see how she was doing and if she actually remembered me. But I can't seem to find her family anywhere."

Interesting.

"Why are you here then?" Matt asked.

Okay, this dude was really creeping me out and I didn't know how to feel about it? Maybe if I play along he'll leave me alone.

"Oh, uh I was heading to Colorado-"

"Oh me too! Beautiful state!"

Well then, wait a minute...! This is perfect. I pull my phone out to check the time once again and see that I have five minutes to make it to the plane.

I look over his body to see if I can find his ticket on him. My eyes landed on his back pocket. Bingo! I saw the ticket hanging out of his back pocket slightly the same bold letters just like Uncle Luca's.

"It looks like I have to head out! I really appreciated this conversation," I stood up and pull the Matt guy into a strong embrace, "I will see you on the plane,"

My hand slowly takes the ticket out of his pocket and slides it into my own pocket.

"It's you," He whispers,

I pull away immediately and gave him an awkward look. With one last wave, goodbye, and I was off to the plane. When I was a good distance away from him, I take the plane ticket out of my pocket and wait in line to get onto the plane. My bag seemed to be small enough for a carry-on.

After a few people, it was my turn.

"Next please!"

I walk forward while breaking a sweat. I give the ticket to the flight attendant and start to rush inside but before doing so she stops me.

Well then.

I feel her give back the plane ticket and escort me herself.

"Welcome! I hope you will enjoy your flight today! Is there anything you would like Ms..."

"Welder. My name is M-Matt Welder,"

I had decided to use his first name and keep my last name. Hopefully, she didn't notice anything.

"Well, Ms. Welder here is your seat. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you!"

My eyes widened when I look at my surroundings. Holy crap, I was in first class.

I take a seat and put my backpack in between my legs with a large smile on my face. This was going to be a good plane ride.