Chapter 12

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Evan

I don’t have a great feeling about the website, but what could really go wrong? It’s just a program.

I studied with it until it finally told me to take a break after an hour and twenty minutes. Standing up from my desk, I stretched and left my room, feeling hungry.

After having dinner with my mom, we watched a cooking show together. I played with Bella for a bit before heading back to my room. Since our school starts late, I didn’t have to worry about sleeping early. I decided to watch some YouTube videos to relax. I went straight to YouTube and searched for alien videos. I figured learning about aliens might be a good distraction from the whole program thing.

I watched two videos in a row and was about to start a third when a message popped up on my screen: **“I HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR BREAK. NOW IT’S STUDY TIME FOR YOU.”**

Study time? At this hour? I was planning to watch a few more videos before bed. I needed some entertainment, and I wasn’t about to start studying just because the program said so. I study on my own schedule, and this wasn’t the time. I ignored the message and continued watching YouTube.

Then another message appeared: **“I FORGIVE YOUR FIRST MISTAKE AND HOPE YOU WON’T REPEAT IT AGAIN. IT’S STUDY TIME, PLEASE COOPERATE.”**

This program is seriously demanding. I’m not going to study right now, and that’s final. I said it out loud as if the program could hear me. I switched off my computer and went to bed, feeling more tired than I realized. I fell asleep in minutes.

The next morning, I woke up on time. As usual, I brushed my teeth, took a shower, had some sandwiches for breakfast, and got ready for school. I arrived on time and went through my classes as usual. During lunch, I hung out with Nathan, who had brought me cream puffs because he knows I love them. After lunch, the rest of the day passed quickly, and soon it was time to head home.

Nathan and I walked hand in hand after school, waiting for Fred behind the building. But Fred was nowhere to be seen. Nathan suggested, “Maybe he went home already. He didn’t look great today. We should probably head home, too.” I agreed, and Nathan walked me to my house. I kept looking at him, hoping he’d notice, but he was too busy talking about something I couldn’t focus on. I just wanted to kiss him right there, but I’d have to wait for another day.

After Nathan left, I walked inside, feeling happy until I saw my mom standing at the door with a worried expression. I hurried to her and asked what was wrong, but she didn’t say anything, leading me inside instead.

I entered the living room and immediately understood her silence. Bella was lying on the floor, completely still.

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