| 𝙱𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚝 𝚘𝚗! |

【8】Uncovered Secrets

   Bruno groaned as he attempted to adjust his eyes to the sunlight. Why was he awake? Upon taking a careful glance around the bedroom, he came to the realization that Shmuel was awake too. What on God's green Earth could have woken him up this early? 

Bruno blinked back the moisture in his eyes and looked around, this time more slowly and attentively. Before he knew it, he had found himself a culprit.

Father. 

Once Bruno realized what he was holding, he bolted up out of bed and sprinted over to where his father was standing. 

"Oh, there you are, son." Father smiled and wrapped an arm around Bruno's shoulders. "I almost had to give you a wake-up call."

"And-and what would that be?" Bruno stammered, though he already knew.

"This." 

With that, father squeezed something behind his back, and the squeal of an air horn caused Bruno and Shmuel to both cover their ears.

"You were going to wake us up with that?" Shmuel asked in horror.

"Yes, but for a good reason. There's something very important happening today." Father explained.

"Like what?" Bruno asked.

"Come along for a moment, I'll show you all once we get your older sister awake." Father took both of their hands and led them down the carpeted hallways until they reached Gretel's door, which was now occupied by a sign that read 'No boys allowed. No exceptions.'

"Is that so?" Father murmured to himself. He reached down into his pocket again and pulled out the airhorn. Bruno and Shmuel giggled under their breath as father gave it a few test squeezes.

"Alright, children. Are you ready?" Father asked. "Three, two, one!"

Bruno and Shmuel burst out laughing as Gretel's frightened screams arose. Within moments, a tired Gretel was standing outside with her hands resting on her hips.

"Bruno, I swear, I'm going to--" Gretel began, but then she saw father. "D-daddy? Were you in on this?"

"Yes, Gret. There's something important happening. Come downstairs and I'll fill you in on as much as I can."

"Yes, father." Gretel obediently said, turning round to throw on one of the robes that was hanging on the back of her chair.

While Gretel was in the process of getting dressed, father escorted Bruno and Shmuel down the grand staircase and pushed open the door that led to the living room. Mother was already seated on the largest sofa, and she was almost oblivious to the three of them entering until father broke the silence.

"I collected the boys, darling," Father said, forcing her to turn her focus away from the imperfections in her hair. "Gretel will be here any moment."

"Oh, hello children," Mother gave a bright smile. "How'd you both sleep?"

"I slept alright," Shmuel murmured sullenly. "My sleep is never that good anyway."

"Why, Shmuel?" Mother asked. "Did you have a nightmare?"

"No, not exactly." Shmuel looked down at his polished shoes and closed his eyes for a moment. Mother and father presumed he had gotten another flashback of his past at some point during the night.

"Oh, well, I suppose I should get on with the good news then." Mother said cheerfully. "Would you all like that?"

"Yes, please!" Gretel wasn't quite inside the living room when she spoke, causing everyone to laugh a bit. Bruno rolled his eyes and huffed at the obnoxious girl.