The next day, after we woke up, Ina and I decided that we were going to get to the bottom of everything. We knew we had to act quickly and decisively. As we started our day, we kept a close watch on Emma, waiting for the right moment to make our move.We didn't have to wait long. By mid-morning, we saw Emma leaving the house. Suspecting she might be up to something, we decided to follow her. Disguised in costume masks to avoid being recognized, we tailed her discreetly as she made her way through the city.Emma eventually stopped at a small, inconspicuous restaurant. We followed her inside, keeping a safe distance. From our concealed vantage point, we watched as she took a seat in a secluded corner. To our surprise, she wasn’t alone for long. Two people soon joined her, and Ina gasped softly when she recognized them.“It’s my Stepmom and Martin,” she whispered, her eyes wide with shock. They looked ragged and scattered, their appearances a stark contrast to the suave personas they onc

My name is Anthony, and I'm 18 years old. I'm in my final year of high school. I come from a family that might seem perfect from the outside, but like every family, we have our own complexities and challenges. I'm the second of triplets, sandwiched between my older brother, Andrew, and my younger sister, Anne.My mother, Ina, is the epitome of quiet strength and love. She's always there for us, my mum has this soothing presence that can calm any storm. She’s the one I go to when I need comfort, though there are some things even she doesn’t know about me. My father, is the opposite. He's fierce, strict, and holds high expectations for all of us. He’s a successful businessman, respected by everyone in our town, and he expects nothing less than excellence from his children. His stern demeanor can be intimidating, and I often find myself trying to avoid his wrath.Andrew, my older brother, is the star athlete, the golden child. He excels in everything he does, especially sports. He's the

The next day at school started like any other. I walked into my classroom, took my usual seat, and began unpacking my books. It had been a few days since Andrew and Jake's fight, and things had been relatively peaceful. I allowed myself a small sigh of relief, hoping the calm would last.But then Jake walked up to me. He didn't look angry or smug, just determined. "Meet me outside," he said quietly, but with an edge that sent chills down my spine. I wondered what this was about. Despite our history, Jake had been unusually quiet since his confrontation with Andrew. Maybe it was over, I had thought. Maybe he was done with me. But now, those hopes seemed naïve.As he walked out, I hesitated. I wanted to ignore him, to stay in my seat and pretend I hadn't heard. But a mix of fear and curiosity pulled me to my feet. I glanced around the classroom, hoping for some excuse to stay, but there was none. I followed Jake out the door.He led me down the hallway to the bathroom. My heart pounded

Anthony's POV On this particular day, I arrived at school earlier than usual. The sun had just begun to rise, casting long shadows across the empty playground. The air was cool and crisp, a welcome change from the suffocating heat of the previous days. I made my way to my usual spot, a quiet corner of the schoolyard where I could sit undisturbed until the bell rang.The bench under the large oak tree had become my refuge. Here, I could escape the constant vigilance required to navigate the school hallways. I could relax, if only for a few minutes, before the chaos of the day began. I settled down, my backpack serving as a makeshift pillow, and closed my eyes.Sleep came quickly. In my dream, I was running through a field of tall grass, the sun warm on my face. I felt free, unburdened by the fears and anxieties that plagued my waking life. It was a rare and precious feeling, one I wished could last forever.Suddenly, the warmth on my face disappeared, replaced by a cool shadow. I stir

Anthony decided to check on his brother Andrew to see if he was ready to go home. Entering Andrew's classroom, he saw his brother engrossed in conversation with his friends. Anthony didn’t like them; they always tossed him around and made fun of him. Deciding not to interact, he quietly turned and left.As he stepped outside, Anthony scanned the area for any sign of Jake or his friends. He didn’t want another encounter with his tormentors. Seeing the coast was clear, he sighed in relief and started his walk home.The walk was usually a time for Anthony to relax, but today he felt a sense of unease. His mind kept drifting back to Jake and the unexpected interactions they had recently. Suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around, heart pounding, to see Jake standing there.Jake smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Can I walk with you?” he asked.Anthony’s mind raced. He glanced around, half-expecting Jake’s friends to jump out from somewhere. Seeing no one else,