The air was heavy with tension as Mr. Harris and Mr. Thompson exchanged a glance. The weight of Daniel's confession had sunk deep into the room, leaving the other boys in stunned silence. They had always looked up to Daniel, the eldest, the one who was supposed to guide them and set an example. But now, seeing him broken and guilty, they didn't know how to process what had just happened.
Mr. Harris took a deep breath, trying to keep his composure. He looked at Daniel, his eyes filled with both disappointment and concern. "Daniel, how long have you been using these drugs?" His voice was calm but laced with the gravity of the situation.
Daniel hesitated, his eyes glued to the floor. "Three months, Papa," he admitted quietly. "I... I started three months ago."
Mr. Thompson's expression hardened. "Three months?" he repeated, disbelief and frustration evident in his tone. "And you've been hiding this from us all this time?"
Daniel nodded slowly, unable to lift his head. "I didn't want to let you down... I thought I could handle it on my own... but I couldn't."
Mr. Harris shook his head, his heart aching for his son. "Daniel, this is a serious problem. You can't just stop on your own. Drugs... they take control, and before you know it, you're in too deep."
Mr. Thompson placed a hand on Daniel's shoulder, squeezing it gently but firmly. "This won't just go away, son. You've put yourself in danger, and we're not going to let this slide. You need help, and you need to face the consequences of your actions."
Daniel winced at the word "consequences," knowing that punishment was inevitable. He had broken their trust, endangered himself, and now he had to face the reality of what he had done. "I know, Dad... I'm ready for whatever comes."
Mr. Harris glanced at Mr. Thompson, then back at Daniel. "Before we deal with the consequences, we need to make sure you're okay physically. We're going to take you to the doctor, get you checked out. We need to know what damage this might have done to your body."
Daniel nodded, his voice barely a whisper. "Okay, Papa. I'll... I'll get ready."
As Daniel slowly got up and headed to his room to prepare, the other boys remained silent, still processing the revelation. They exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what to say or how to react. The room felt heavy with a mix of shock, fear, and sadness.
Mr. Thompson turned to the boys. "I know this is a lot to take in," he said, his voice softer now. "Your brother made a mistake, a big one, but he's going to get the help he needs. We're a family, and we'll get through this together."
Mr. Harris added, "But remember, there will be consequences for his actions. No one is above the rules, not even Daniel. We'll talk more about this later, but for now, we need to focus on getting him the medical attention he needs."
The boys nodded quietly, still too stunned to speak. They watched as Daniel slowly returned, ready to leave for the doctor. His face was pale, his shoulders slumped with the weight of guilt and fear. He knew that this was only the beginning of what he had to face.
As Mr. Harris and Mr. Thompson prepared to take Daniel to the doctor, they both knew that this was far from over. There would be more discussions, more decisions to be made, and undoubtedly more consequences to come. But for now, the priority was ensuring Daniel's safety and health.
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