DISASTER
The morning began under a cloud of stress and silent terror. It was unthinkable—how quickly joy could give way to dread. Just days ago, my home was filled with laughter, yet now, the air hung heavy with fear.
As the unease settled over me, I found myself slipping into a memory—years ago, when my brother would shield me from trouble, taking the blame for my mistakes without hesitation. I always knew I owed him something. But now… it seemed far too late.
He had returned—not as a brother, but as a shadow bent on vengeance.
Relentless.
He wasn't just after me; he was after my family. And no matter the blood that bound us, I would never allow harm to touch the people I love.
While I was lost in this whirlwind of thought, I didn't notice Ashley standing at the door, knocking softly—patiently—for nearly six minutes.
"Dad!" she finally called out.
Her voice jolted me back to the present. I looked up and saw her standing there, watching me intently. I tried to fake a smile, but it fell flat. She wasn't fooled. Ashley studied me, eyes filled with quiet skepticism.
In a calm, almost emotionless tone, she said, "I just came to remind you that tomorrow is Academic Day. We're supposed to go with our parents."
Confusion tightened its grip on my mind, but I nodded quickly, too quickly. "Of course," I replied, forcing a steadier tone.
"Will you come?" she asked, a hint of challenge in her voice.
"Yes," I answered—perhaps a little too sharply.
She didn't argue. I think she already knew what was troubling me. Maybe that's why she didn't press further.
Moments later, my phone rang.
A private number. No caller ID.
I hesitated, my hand trembling slightly as I accepted the call. On the other end, I heard a bloodcurdling scream—one I recognized instantly. Before I could react, a chilling voice echoed through the phone:
"Did you like the parcel, William? That was just the trailer. The movie hasn't even started."
I ended the call immediately, heart pounding. But the damage had already been done.
The children had heard everything.
Terror spread across their faces, their innocence shaken once more. I tried to calm them, but their eyes said what they couldn't: fear had now taken root in our home.
Then came the worst realization of all—how did he get my private number?
There was only one explanation.
There's a mole.Someone close.Someone betraying us from within.
And now, everything—my family, my safety, my sanity—was hanging by a thread