"In the Dark"

Chapter 6: The Call of the Unknown

Lena's eyes locked onto the letter in her brother's hand, her heart racing with a mix of fear and anticipation. She began to sweat, despite the air conditioning in the house, as her mind raced with thoughts of what the letter might contain. Without hesitation, she swiftly reached out and snatched the letter from his grasp, her fingers closing around it like a vice.

Her brother's eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't have time to react before Lena had already turned and was hurrying away, the letter clutched tightly in her hand.

"Lena, wait!" her mother called out, alarm rising in her voice. "What's going on?"

But Lena didn't stop. She kept moving, her feet carrying her quickly across the room, the letter burning a hole in her hand. She felt like she was holding a ticking time bomb, and she didn't know what would happen if she didn't get away from her family's prying eyes.

"Lena, stop!" her mother called out again, her voice firm but worried.

Lena immediately halted, her hand still clutching the letter. She turned to face her mother, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and guilt.

"Mother, I-" she began, but her mother cut her off.

"Don't test my patience, Lena!" her mother snapped, her eyes flashing with annoyance.

Mom, "It's just a school project," Lena said, trying to sound convincing.

But her brother, Bryan, who had been watching the exchange with interest, suddenly burst out, "Lies! You're such a liar, Lena!"

Lena's face flushed with anger. "Shut up, Bryan!" she shouted, picking up her slippers and hurling them at her brother.

The slippers hit Bryan with a soft thud, but he just laughed. "Oh, so now you're resorting to throwing things? That's really mature, Lena."

Their mother's voice cut through the argument. "Enough! Lena, hand over that letter. Now."

But Lena was beyond reasoning. She crossed her arms, the letter clutched tightly in her hand. Starring into empty space.

Her mother's eyes flashed with anger. "Fine. If you won't give it to me, I'll take it from you."

And with that, she strode over to Lena and snatched the letter from her hand. Lena tried to hold on, but her mother was too strong. She flung the letter open and began to read, her eyes scanning the page with a mixture of shock and disbelief.

As she read, her expression changed from anger to concern, and Lena's heart sank. She knew she was in trouble. Big trouble.

As Lena's mother finishes reading the letter, her expression changes from anger to confusion and disbelief. She looks at Lena with a mix of questions and concerns, but Lena can see the confusion in her eyes.

"Lena, what is this? Who is this person? What does it mean?" her mother asks, her voice laced with uncertainty.

Lena shrugs, trying to appear nonchalant. "I don't know, Mother. It's just a silly letter from a friend. Don't worry about it."

Her mother looks unconvinced, but Lena can see the uncertainty in her eyes. She doesn't understand what's going on, and Lena is relieved that she can't piece together the truth.