𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝

Chapter V : Shadow of Lost

The night was young, and the dimly lit pub resonated with laughter and clinking pool balls. You sat at a corner table, surrounded by your closest friends—Wes, Amber, Liv, Chad, and Mindy with a beer in your hand. It was a rare occasion when you could gather together for a night of relaxation and camaraderie since the last time they asked. You couldn't come with them.

As Wes lined up his shot on the pool table, the conversation turned to Samantha Carpenter, the reliable babysitter who had taken care of the three Wes, as well as the mischievous twins Chad and Mindy, on numerous occasions.

"How about Sam?" Liv inquired, her eyes alight with curiosity. "Sam? Sam is so cool," Wes replied, a playful smile spreading.

Mindy couldn't help but interject, her voice laced with teasing. "You just like Sam because she let you wear your Pokémon onesies to bed for a year!"

A burst of laughter filled the air as everyone turned to Wes, awaiting his response. He chuckled, admitting, "That's true. That's a true statement."

"I'm just curious what happened to them. I mean, isn't she supposed to be with Tara all this time, and Tara gets attacked?" You said, drinking your beer.

Amber, on the other hand, "Well, it's not a happy life between those sisters, trust me, Sam is not cool; his dad left her mom, right? Walks right out when Tara's eight and Sam's 13"

She gets closer to you as she places her hand on your hair, fixing it, and continues, "Sam's started acting out, getting in trouble with the cops, and then on Sam's 18th birthday, she leaves, ghost them all."

Amber was playful, winking at you as she looked at the gang, leaving you shocked at what she did. "Maybe Sam's changed; I just don't want to see Tara hurt again."

"So what? You're protecting Tara from her sister." Wes spoke, "No, but someone has to." She answered right away; Wes looked at you and said, "Okay, so now no guys are good for her and also her family?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, and if I have a sibling, I'll be doing the same, protecting my love ones."

Mindy smirked at Wes. "Mmm, what a motive; if I can't have her, then no one else." "Wha—"

"Oh, come on, everyone knows you have a crush on Tara." Wes glanced back to you, giving him a nod. "I also know, man. Mindy just spilled the tea with me yesterday."

He sighs. "Oh, come on, Mindy."

Mindy just looked at us individually. "But we're all suspects."

Chad lifted his glass to you, clinking with your beer, "Well, except for Liv." Minds said, "Well, thank you" She thanked Mindy.

"Because you're way too boring to be a psycho." Mindy interrupted her. You felt a presence behind you, and you saw your secret cousin's slash neighbor behind you.

"You, Liv, want a real drink with me?" He offered. "Or you gotta sit here at the kiddie table." He added you scoff.

The squad snaps their head to Vince, Amber looking at him disgusted.

Chad and you walked up to him. "Look here uglier Michael Myers. Why don't you walk away from here."

But Vince just looked up to him. "Am I talking to you? Ain't no one talking to you, boy."

"Woah, hold up! I ain't seeing any kiddies here except someone who's looking up to me right now." You said, irritated, looking down at Vince.

Vince pulled out a retractable knife, causing Chad to step back slightly. However, you stood your ground, locking eyes with Vince, his menacing gaze meeting your unwavering determination. In that tense moment, a voice echoed in your mind, your father's words resurfacing, "Defend yourself. Take control. Disarm him and strike back."