Girl Strolls Through Supermarket with Mom, Spots Her ‘Missing’ Photo on Milk Carton – Story of the Day

At the supermarket, Mia was stunned when she spotted a milk carton with her picture on it and the word “MISSING” printed beneath. Who was she really, and how would she find her true identity?

Mia, just 14 years old, opened her eyes to a nurse smiling at her bedside. “How are you feeling, dear? Can you tell me your name?” the nurse asked.

“I’m Mia… but that’s all I remember,” Mia responded, blinking in confusion.

“That’s perfectly okay,” the nurse reassured her. “You’ve been in a coma for a few days. Your memory will come back as your brain fully wakes up.” After checking her pulse and examining her eyes, the nurse added, “You’re doing fine, but we’ll keep you for observation for a few more days. I’ll let your parents know you’re awake. They’ve been very worried, but they’ll be thrilled to see you.”

As the nurse left, Mia’s thoughts swirled. Did she really have parents? Would she recognize them? Her musings were interrupted when the door burst open, and a woman rushed in.

“Oh, darling!” the woman exclaimed, hugging Mia tightly. “Thank God you’re alive!”

Mia stared blankly. She didn’t remember this woman. “I’m sorry, but I don’t recognize you,” Mia said. “I just woke up from a coma.”

“I know, sweetheart,” the woman said softly. “The doctors told me everything. I’m Laura, your mother.”

Mia was baffled. “What happened to me? Why don’t I remember you?”

“There was an accident,” Laura explained, forcing a smile. “But let’s not dwell on that now. I’m here to take you home. Once you’re surrounded by familiar things, your memory might come back.”

Mia hesitated. “When can we leave?”

“Now,” Laura replied a little too quickly. “Let me pack your things.”

Laura began hastily gathering Mia’s belongings, raising Mia’s suspicion. “But the nurse said I needed to stay longer…”

“She said you’re better, didn’t she?” Laura countered. “They just want to keep you here to run up the bill.”

Mia, still foggy from her coma, trusted Laura and agreed. As they were about to leave, Laura cautiously opened the door and froze at the commotion outside.

“We need to move quickly,” she whispered, guiding Mia toward the fire escape instead of the main exit. Laura’s nervous glances made Mia uneasy. “Why are we going this way?” she asked.

“We just need to get down one floor,” Laura answered, pulling Mia toward a staircase that spiraled down endlessly. They reached a quiet landing where Laura suddenly let go of Mia’s hand. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

Laura returned moments later with some paperwork, and they made their way to the parking lot. Laura’s hurried steps and tense behavior didn’t go unnoticed. When they heard a doctor’s voice, Laura pulled Mia behind a car.

“Why are we hiding?” Mia asked, her heart racing.

“I’m sorry, honey,” Laura said, her voice trembling. “I just can’t afford another day in the hospital. I don’t want the bills to pile up.”

Mia felt uneasy but empathized with the pain in Laura’s voice. She smiled weakly. “It’s okay.”

They quickly got into Laura’s car, and as they drove, Mia gazed out the window, watching the cityscape give way to thick forests. The car eventually stopped in front of a solitary house surrounded by trees. Mia didn’t recognize the place at all.

“This is your old room,” Laura said as they entered a small room decorated with pastel colors, toys, and baby photos. Mia felt strange—no 14-year-old would have a room like this.

“Is this really my room?” she asked, picking up a doll. “All the pictures on the wall are of a baby.”

Laura smiled. “We lived here when you were little. We moved to the city, but our house burned down recently. We lost everything, so we came back here.”

Mia tried to recall the memories, but nothing came. Over the next few days, Laura shared stories about Mia’s supposed favorite foods, hobbies, and past experiences, but none of it triggered any recognition.

Then, one morning, Laura announced she was going grocery shopping. Mia asked to go along, and Laura agreed. At the supermarket, something strange caught Mia’s attention: a milk carton with her face on it. Beneath the photo was the word “MISSING.”

Mia froze, staring at the carton. She quickly grabbed it, her heart pounding.

“Find something interesting?” Laura’s voice startled her from behind.

Mia clutched the carton to her chest, hiding it from Laura. “I was just looking…”

Laura nodded and turned toward the checkout, but Mia had already memorized the phone number on the carton. Her suspicions about Laura deepened. Was Laura really her mother?

Back at the house, Mia’s mind raced. That night, while Laura was distracted in the garden, Mia seized the opportunity. She took Laura’s phone and nervously dialed the number from the carton.

After a few rings, a woman answered. “Hello? Who is this?”

Mia swallowed. “I found my picture on a milk carton… can you tell me what’s going on?”

There was a pause, followed by the woman’s panicked voice. “Mia? Is that you?”

“Yes, my name is Mia… but that’s all I remember.”

“Oh, Mia! Your father and I have been searching for you. You were kidnapped, sweetheart! Do you know where you are?”

Before Mia could answer, the living room door flung open. Laura stood there, her face twisted with fury. “Who were you talking to?”

“No one, just a wrong number,” Mia stammered, her heart racing.

“I know when you’re lying!” Laura growled, advancing toward her. “You’re not leaving me!”

In a terrifying instant, Laura grabbed Mia and dragged her to the basement, locking her inside. “You’re my daughter! I won’t let anyone take you from me!” Laura shouted through the door.

Mia’s heart pounded as she scanned the dim basement for an escape. In the corner, she found a stack of papers Laura had brought from the hospital. As Mia read through them, a horrifying truth emerged: Laura wasn’t her mother. She was a mentally ill woman who had been struggling with delusions, believing Mia was her deceased daughter.

Mia’s heart sank. How would she escape?

Thinking quickly, Mia decided to manipulate Laura’s emotions. “Mom! It’s scary down here!” she yelled. “Remember how we used to plant the garden together? I miss those moments.”

Mia held her breath, praying her plan would work. Minutes later, she heard the key turn, and the door creaked open. Laura stepped in, her face softening. “I’m sorry, honey. I was just scared you’d leave me.”

Mia played along, embracing Laura and pretending to be her obedient daughter. After dinner, when Laura’s back was turned, Mia saw her chance. She grabbed a plate and, in one swift motion, hit Laura over the head. Laura crumpled to the ground, stunned.

Mia didn’t waste a second. She snatched the keys, unlocked the front door, and ran into the forest. But Laura, regaining her senses, chased after her. Mia ran as fast as she could, but Laura caught up, grabbing her by the leg and pulling her down.

Mia gasped for air as Laura’s hands tightened around her throat. Just as Mia thought she would pass out, a voice called out, “Let her go, or I’ll shoot!”

A police officer emerged from the trees, his gun aimed at Laura. When she refused to release Mia, the officer fired his Taser, and Laura collapsed, incapacitated.

Mia was finally safe.

Later, Mia’s real parents arrived, rushing to embrace her. “We’ve been searching for you for so long,” her mother said through tears. “But now, you’re finally coming home.”

Wrapped in her parents’ arms, Mia knew she was finally where she belonged.