As soon as we stepped through the front door, a soft glow began to peek over the horizon, illuminating the treetops with shades of gold and orange. My heart was still racing from the events of the previous night, leaving me restless and jittery. I poured myself a steaming cup of coffee, its rich aroma filling the kitchen, and sank into a chair at the cluttered table.
“Are you going to tell me what happened last night?” Mom asked, her voice tinged with concern.
From my peripheral vision, I noticed Elijah silently retreating up the staircase, clearly aware that this conversation wasn’t meant for him. The door creaked softly as he vanished into the shadows of the second floor, leaving Mom and me alone in the soft light of morning.
“I just needed a breather,” I replied, my voice tight with
