Days flew by quickly, it was Monday morning. Tanny was still in bed around 7:00. Lucinda was already dressed about having breakfast when she noticed that none of her children were awake. She was so mad, that she didn't bother knocking tanny's room door, she stomped in and shouted tanny's name. Tanny was still sleeping soundly when she heard her mum yelling her name, she thought it was a dream. The name kept ringing in her ears, suddenly she realised it wasn't a dream it was her mother's voice. She opened her eyes only to meet the sight of her mother's anger. She jumped off the bed and ended hitting one side of her butt on the floor. She squeaked in pain, Lucinda look at her for some seconds then returned to her normal demanor.

Lucinda: You deserved what you just got. Do you have any idea what time it is?

Tanny winced as she stood up, rubbing her side. Her mother’s stern glare could’ve cracked glass.

Tanny: (mumbling) I'm sorry, I didn’t hear the alarm.

Lucinda: That’s because you slept like you wrestled a ghost all night. You think school is optional now?

Tanny didn’t dare reply. She rushed into the bathroom, splashed water on her face, and brushed her teeth with half-shut eyes. Her mind was still foggy with sleep as she threw on her clothes, one sock already falling off as she limped out of the room, still wincing from the fall.

Downstairs, Lucinda was standing by the door, car keys in hand, purse slung over her shoulder.

Lucinda: You’ve got three minutes before I leave you behind.

Tanny: (hurrying down the stairs) I’m coming! Please don’t go without me!

She grabbed her backpack and skipped the last three steps, nearly tripping again. Lucinda shook her head, stepping out of the house with a sigh.

Moments later, they were in the car, the air thick with silence as Lucinda drove. Tanny stole glances at her mother, unsure whether she was still angry or just pretending to be. Lucinda’s lips were pressed tight, her eyes fixed on the road.

As they approached the school gate, Tanny finally spoke up.

Tanny: (softly) Thanks for not leaving me.

Lucinda looked at her daughter and exhaled.

Lucinda: Just try to act like you’ve got somewhere important to be. Life won’t wait for you, Tanny.

Tanny nodded, her fingers tightening around the strap of her backpack. She stepped out of the car, the bell ringing faintly in the distance.

Tanny: (quietly to herself) Life won’t wait... got it.

She shut the door and walked toward the school entrance, her heart still racing — not just from the morning rush, but from the growing weight of reality.

Meanwhile, in the next room, Macklin was awake — sort of. He lay on his bed scrolling through his phone, still wrapped in a hoodie and blanket like he hadn’t left the bed all weekend. The sunlight slipping through the blinds didn’t bother him, but the sudden sound of his mother shouting Tanny’s name definitely did.

He winced.

Macklin: (muttering) Poor Tanny. She’s gonna get roasted.

He stretched, yawning, then swung his legs off the bed. Today wasn’t school for him — he’d just finished secondary school and was waiting for college to begin, he had nothing much to do, his work was mostly online. No more uniforms, no more bells. Just freedom... and chores, unfortunately.

He shuffled out of his room, rubbing the back of his neck as he made his way to the kitchen.

Lucinda was already back downstairs, arms folded and still simmering with the heat of Tanny’s late rising.

Lucinda: (noticing Macklin) Good. At least one person in this house isn’t allergic to mornings.

Macklin: (grinning lazily) I’ve been up for a while, just doing... important research.

Lucinda: (raising an eyebrow) TikTok is not research, Macklin.

Macklin: Depends on the topic.

She shook her head but smiled faintly. He walked over to the counter and grabbed a slice of bread, munching on it as he leaned against the fridge.

Lucinda: Since you’re not going to school for now, I hope you’ll help me around the house.

Macklin: (mouth full) Like I have a choice?

Lucinda: You don’t.

Macklin: Noted.

He glanced toward the stairs, hearing Tanny rushing around above.

Macklin: (smirking) So... she got the full “Lucinda wake-up package,” huh?

Lucinda: Deservedly so.

Macklin chuckled and shook his head, already bracing himself for a long day of “helping out,” but something in the back of his mind still tugged at him — a strange feeling he couldn’t shake since last night. That odd prickling sensation in his fingers… the feeling like someone had been watching him from outside.

He glanced at the window, but the morning light offered nothing but peace.

Still, his instincts told him — peace wouldn’t last long.