"My grandma looked at me with a sorrowful yet worried expression. 'Oh honey, I'm so sorry about your loss,’ she said, grabbing her purse from the front chair. 'I'll be going now, but call me if you need anything, dear…' With a slight hint of confusion and haste in her tone, she left leaving me alone , “in the house that Once was a happy place for many”.

"I thought I'd be left alone, but to my surprise, my father walked in the room, holding a small pinkish suitcase . “What's that?" I asked, watching him slowly approach me with a small suitcase. "Oh, this is your mother's final file's from before she...you know." He motioned me to sit opposite him and started to slowly move a chair next to me, we sit around the suitcase and he slowly opens it using a key that had a cute keychain , I smile knowing I gave it to my mother . When it's finally opened we see cryptic photos and unusual symbols.

My perplexity only increases as I study the surreal images, unable to make sense of the cryptic writings and mysterious symbols on the walls.

"What...what is that, pa?" I finally ask hesitantly, my words catching in my throat as I stare at him for an answer, but I get none.

"Pa? W..what is that?" I say again, unable to process the eerie collection of images and symbols.

He finally lets out a sigh and explains, "this case was given to your mother because she was a renowned lawyer and...you know how we can't antagonize the government, right? So instead of him taking the fall, your mother accepted the blame.

"Your mother was targeted by the government..." he murmurs, "because she knew a secret they didn't want getting out.”

He pauses and stares blankly at the case, not Moving a muscle , maybe he stopped breathing for some time aswell but I'm not sure .

...----------------...

He continues to stare blankly as the news sinks in, leaving me stunned in shock.

"So...so she didn't actually commit suicide?" I finally manage to ask, my mind reeling from the revelation.

"No, honey," he replies softly, avoiding my gaze. "She didn't take her own life. She died fighting a battle we were ignorant of, one she never intended for us to be a part of.”

"B...but, dad?' I shout, my voice trembling with anguish and terror as I remember the gruesome sight of my mother's lifeless body. "I saw it...the blood...the blade...the ropes...everything."

I shudder, the vivid image of her suicide still fresh in my mind.

"You saw it, too, dad! And not just that, but the conspiracy theories and twisted logic that fueled your insane delusion that drove her to this point.”

As if just waking from a nightmare, I pause at the realization of the harsh words I've unleashed on my father. I pause, my rage and despair slowly giving way to exhaustion. My mind is scrambled with so many thoughts and emotions, I'm unable to articulate any proper apology for the cruel words I've uttered to him.

He just smiles and pats my head, gently nudging me to take some rest. "You need sleep, my butterfly. Go to bed."

I simply walk upstairs without another word, knowing that he's still staring at the same spot I left him at and likely replaying my hurtful words in his mind.

Before I even get a chance to complete my apology, my father cuts me off. "It's fine, honey. I know you've had a long day taking care of our guests, while I did nothing but add to the burden."

I try to protest, but he quickly reassures me and dismisses my concerns. "Really, it's all right. I wasn't in a great mood either, so I know how frustrating it can be to have to deal with difficult people like Damian and his fiancée.

"But dad, I was really mean to you earlier. I know I was just frustrated, but that doesn't excuse my cruel words. I just want you to know how sorry I am."I speak from the stairways.

My father's expression softens as he considers my words. "I know, sweetie. I know it was just a moment of weakness. Don't worry about it. You're already dealing with so much... let's try and get some rest.

I sigh knowing he won't say anything since she's here , come here emma let's go upstairs.

"Torrie, where's mummy?" she asks, her innocent voice devoid of any concept of death or loss.

" Mum is all right, Julia. She's just out on a business meeting," I reply as I try to shield her young mind from the harsh realities of life.

A wave of sadness washes over me as I remind myself what a difficult thing it is for a six-year-old to comprehend the passing of a loved one, let alone our mum.

A sudden thought strikes me as I watch the tears spring up in her eyes. I slowly pull her into a gentle hug, trying to provide some comfort.

"It's going to be okay, Julie my Julia. You can miss mum, but she'll always be with you in your heart. Never forget that.”

She look at me and says,

“Sissy you won't leave me to go to a trip like momma will you?”,”You won't leave our dad and me here alone will you?”.My whole world nearly stops as I grasp the full weight of what she has asked and the fear behind the question. It's the last thing in the world I could ever imagine doing to her or our dad, but her genuine concern for our relationship breaks my heart.

"Oh Julie," I reply, my voice trembling, "I would never do that. I promise you that I'm not going anywhere, and we're all staying together, always.”

I try to suppress the tears building up in my eyes as I reassure her. "We're staying together, always."

She wraps her small arms around my legs, squeezing tightly as if she can't possibly let go of me. "Promise?" she pleads, looking up at me.

"Promise," I reply, kissing the top of her head. The overwhelming emotions I feel are too much for me to fully describe, and I simply let her embrace me while I slowly console her.

She's my sister and I must protect her at all costs, I remind myself as I carry her to our shared room. I place her on the bunk bed and give her a gentle kiss on her forehead before tucking her in and heading to sleep myself.

"Julia and Torrie, you guys have been skipping school for like forever!" My father exclaims, his voice growing louder as Julia continues to give him a "mini pedicure" that oddly consist of applying pink nail polish.

"Look, dad, she's turning you so pretty," Julia giggles, "why so fussy, eh?"

My father isn't really swayed by her charms, though, and remains insistent that we return to school.

My father stands his ground, refusing to be swayed by Julia's charming attempts to get him to allow them to skip school again.

"No, no, no," he replies firmly but gently, "I don't care how pretty she makes me look, you two need to get your education. It's time to start taking school seriously and get back into the classroom.”

After a heated argument, we ultimately concede to our father's wishes and get ready to make our way to the bus stop. Julia and I both keep quiet as we wait for the bus to arrive, knowing that any further disagreements would just set him off all over again.

Julia seems to have accepted her fate and even tries to distract herself with my phone while I stare at the ground, feeling utterly defeated.

As we enter the school bus, I take my seat across from Kate, my best friend. We share a brief glance in which I can sense that she's fully aware of my disappearance.

She nods in solidarity, letting me know that she understands, and I try to distract myself with my phone while I wait for the bus to start moving.

After a moment of silence, Kate breaks the tension and asks the unthinkable: "Why haven't you been to school recently?"

I can't bear to look up and face her, but I finally mustering the courage to answer. "It's because... my mother passed away."

My whole body shakes as I say that last word aloud, and I finally allow myself to cry after suppressing the emotions for so long and being the strong sissy, julia thinks of me as .

After a long and arduous school day, the last thing I need is more discomfort. The weird glares I got from some of my teachers, including my favorite "sir Hampton," had me feeling quite down.

I take a moment of relief now that I'm finally on the bus and sitting in my seat. Suddenly, a guy I've never seen before walks over to me. "Is this seat taken?" he asks.

"No" I reply, not knowing what else to say in the moment.

"Well, can I sit here?" Jacxs asks, and I simply nod in approval.

We sit there quietly for a few moments, both of us minding our own business and avoiding awkward conversation.

"You're new here, right?" Jacxs finally questions, breaking the silence.

“Oh! , no I'm not new”I reply.

"Oh, you're not?" Jacxs asks, seeming surprised.

"Nope, I've been here for a while now, I'm not a new student," I clarify. "You just started at this school, right?"

"Yeah, I did," Jacxs replies nervously, "I transferred in from another school."

"Well, welcome to our school," I reply warmly, trying to make the conversation less awkward.

Jacxs seemed to be taking the conversation a little better now that he knew I wasn't a new student . He is still a little nervous, but the awkward tension seemed to be fading a bit.

"Thanks for the welcome," Jacxs replies, looking somewhat relieved as he looks at me and smiles warmly.

"No problem," I reply, smiling back at him. "So, what brought you here specifically?”

He looks a bit shaken but replies anyways.

Well..I heard the myth about thsi school.

Jacxs seems curious about the old myth, and he asks about it directly.

"I've heard this strange myth about the school, the one where a chosen one gets picked to be taken to a secret dungeon with hidden treasure. Do you know which one I'm talking about?"

I chuckle at the absurdity of the myth. "Yeah, it's just a myth created to get kids to go to school," I explain.

Jacxs continues to ask questions about the myth, expressing his interest in it and wanting to learn more.

"So... so it isn't real then? Really?" he asks, seeming a bit disappointed.

"I'm sorry to break it to you, but no, it's not real," I reply, feeling slightly bad for bursting his bubble. I try to lighten the mood with a joke. "Although, the secret dungeon would be pretty cool if it wasn't just a myth.”

Jacxs seems slightly let down by the news, but I can tell that he's accepting it. I think the joke helped a bit with that.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," he says, smiling slightly. "Although, I wish it was real. I could really use some treasure in my life right now.”

The bus eventually reaches my stop, and I realize I need to get off. I look over at Jacxs, who's also getting off at this stop.

"I guess this is where we say goodbye," I say with a sad smile on my face.

"Sadly so," Jacxs replies with a sigh. He looks at me, still eager for more conversation. "It was nice talking to you.”

"It was nice talking to you too," I reply, "Could I have your number so we can keep in touch?"

Jacxs smiles and seems pleased with the request. He quickly provides me with his number, then we reluctantly say our goodbyes before parting ways.

I feel relieved to have his number, and I look forward to chatting with him again soon.

Oh fuc- I shout at the bus , julia! Where are y- I feel a tug on my shirt I look back and see her Little smile . “See I fooled you sissy!”she says in her cute baby voice , I smile and pick her up in my arms but I put her bsck , “ oh God! My baby sister is so big now! . She giggles and we make our way to the house.

"Dad! I'm going to the garage," I say loudly, "I'm gonna practice my drums, so make sure Julia doesn't come in there, okay?"

I glance at him before quickly adding, "Oh, and please don't record a video! I'm not ready to show it to anyone yet.”

Just then we hear the doorbell ring ,my father hurries to the gate and o

To my utter shock I see jacxs with a lady old enough to be his moher , good afternoon fellas I'm janet cova, she says while smiling and gives my dad a basket full of fruits and some snacks , we're your new neighbours she excitedly shouts my dad looks at me and says in his stern voice torrie go take the boy aswell let us talk?

So I take Jacxs over to a spare seat in front of my drum set and tell him to sit down. I notice his eyes are lingering on all the equipment in anticipation, so I ask him a simple question:

"So, you know how to play the guitar?”

Of course!,he shouts enthusiastically.I nod, indicating my approval. When I see how eagerly he looks at all my equipment, I decide to ask him a follow-up question:

"So, you like playing guitar and drums?" I pose the question, and Jacxs responds enthusiastically.

"Yes!" he replies excitedly, "I love playing both instruments, although I'm way better at the guitar. How about you?” well I smirl I like both as well but I'm better at drums .soo let's play one of my favorite songs? He nods while smiling .

A little later after giving him the guitar I look at him settling in the new seat and the new guitar.

I can't stop but grin at Jacxs, amused by the interaction we just had. "Yes, we're playing Judas. Are you ready?"he says.

"I'm ready, let's go."

We both get ready to play Judas by Jimi Hendrix, one of the most well-known songs by the legendary musician. I start up the drum pattern, and Jacxs begins strumming the guitar chords quickly and accurately. We're both in sync, playing like we've known each other for years and if we ourselves made the very song we're playing.

Hey! We need a singer as well , he says in the middle of the rehearsal.

Yea…how about I sing? I suggest , well? he smirks ,I wouldn't mind hearing an angels voice, he chuckles while saying so.

I smirk back and nod well. I'm singing it! I shout. Let's start, he says. And so we wait 5 mins revising the whole song so I can sing and he can play accordingly.

A one! A two! A three! Start! He shouts.

And so I sigh and drum while he plays the guitar.

I take a deep breath waiting for the line and as soon as it comes I start.

Oh, whoa-whoa, oh-oh

I'm in love with Judas, Judas

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

I'm in love with Judas, Judas

Judas, Juda-ah-ah, Judas, Juda-ah-ah

Judas, Juda-ah-ah, Judas, Gaga

Judas, Juda-ah-ah, Judas, Juda-ah-ah

Judas, Juda-ah-ah, Judas, Gaga

When he calls to me, I am ready

I'll wash his feet with my hair if he needs

Forgive him when his tongue lies through his brain

Even after three times, he betrays me

Ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah

I'll bring him down, bring him down, down

Ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah

A king with no crown, king with no crown

I'm just a Holy Fool, oh, baby, it's so cruel

But I'm still in love with Judas, baby

I'm just a Holy Fool, oh, baby, it's so cruel

But I'm still in love with Judas, baby

Oh, whoa-whoa, oh-oh

I'm in love with Judas, Judas

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

I'm in love with Judas, Judas

Judas, Juda-ah-ah, Judas, Juda-ah-ah

Judas, Juda-ah-ah, Judas, Gaga

(I take a deep breath , and my left hand that I'm playing the drum chorus from goes numb , I acknowledge it but don't react, I look at jacxs who's emersed in the whole ordeal and smile)

I couldn't love a man so purely

Even prophets forgave his goofy way

I've learned love is like a brick, you can

Build a house or sink a dead body

Ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah

I'll bring him down, bring him down, down

Ah, ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah

A king with no crown, king with no crown

I'm just a Holy Fool, oh, baby, it's so cruel

But I'm still in love with Judas, baby

I'm just a Holy Fool, oh, baby, it's so cruel

But I'm still in love with Judas, baby

Oh, whoa-whoa, oh-oh

I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

I'm in love with Juda-as, Juda-as

Ew

In the most Biblical sense, I am beyond repentance

Fame hooker, prostitute, wench vomits her mind

But in the cultural sense, I just speak in future tense

Judas, kiss me if offensed, or wear ear condom next time

I wanna love you

But something's pulling me away from you

Jesus is my virtue

And Judas is the demon I cling to

I cling to

Just a Holy Fool, oh, baby, it's so cruel

But I'm still in love with Judas, baby

I'm just a Holy Fool, oh, baby, it's so cruel

But I'm still in love with Judas, baby

Oh, whoa-whoa, oh-oh

I'm in love with Judas, Judas

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh

( My heart beats faster and faster and I feel light headed)

I'm in love with Judas, Judas

Judas, Juda-ah-ah, Judas, Juda-ah-ah

Judas, Juda-ah-ah, Judas, Gaga

I end it and let out a huge scream . He chukles and we both fall on the floor both covered in sweat and taking deep breaths. Just then my little sister enters , “sissy! “I look back and see my sister holding her teddy bear and giggling what's wrong Juli? I say taking deep breaths in between every word, “is that your friend torrie?” She says , yeah…meet jacxs , jacxs cova , he's new to the school and our parents know each other as well , although that's definitely not suspecious of our dad. Well “I'm going now , and you mister she says in an angry tone starying daggers at jacxs, don't touch my sissy or im doing things to you, that you'll never be able imagine “ she smiles and gives me a kiss on my forehead before leaving , skipping through the way she came from . I let out a loud chuckle and he frowns , “dude your sister is an angel yet a demon are you sure she's a human '' he says while getting up and looking at me.

I nod while giggling. She's my little demon. Well forget that.i say and look at him with a smile on my face , he grimaced at the scene that just escalated.

Well , getting up as well. Let's play another song, shall we? I look at jacxs and he nods. "Sure, but wait just a second," he says, grabbing my hand and giving me the guitar pick. "I prefer using my hands rather than the guitar pick. I feel more confident in my hands." I smile and nod. "Okay, you do whatever you wanna do." He nods and smiles, "Yeah, so what song now? Hmmm... lemme think…”

How about the E.T. song? You know, the one that talks about having an alien lover or something.

I grab a seat and sit in front of the drum set. Looking up, I see him. "I don't know if I know how to play that one," I say. He smiles and suggests, "Maybe we'll just use a guitarist and a pretty singer for this?" I nod, "Well, sure. Less work for me, I guess.”

I take a deep breath and look at him, waiting for my cue to begin singing. He looks back at me and smiles, anticipating the moment. My heart speeds up and my breaths become shallow as the start of the chorus approaches. I close my eyes and feel the rhythmic vibrations of the upbeats. My heart pounds faster and faster until the moment finally arrives. I open my mouth and let the words flow, which I never thought would be possible. The lyrics I love pass through my body and out my mouth.

You're so hypnotizing

Could you be the devil? Could you be an angel?

Your touch, magnetizing

Feels like I am floating, leaves my body glowing

They say, "Be afraid"

You're not like the others, futuristic lover

Different DNA

They don't understand you

(I close my eyes to feel the moment , and oppen them back again to see him , I smile before singing again)

You're from a whole 'nother world

A different dimension

You open my eyes

And I'm ready to go, lead me into the light

You're so hypnotizing

Could you be the devil? Could you be an angel?

Your touch, magnetizing

Feels like I am floating, leaves my body glowing

They say, "Be afraid"

You're not like the others, futuristic lover

Different DNA

They don't understand you

You're from a whole 'nother world

A different dimension

You open my eyes

And I'm ready to go, lead me into the light

Kiss me, ki-ki-kiss me

Infect me with your lovin', fill me with your poison

Take me, ta-ta-take me

Wanna be your victim, ready for abduction

Boy, you're an alien

Your touch, so foreign

It's supernatural

Extraterrestrial

[Verse 2]

You're so supersonic

Wanna feel your powers, stun me with your lasers

Your kiss is cosmic

Every move is magic

[Pre-Chorus]

You're from a whole 'nother world

A different dimension

You open my eyes

And I'm ready to go, lead me into the light

Kiss me, ki-ki-kiss me

Infect me with your lovin', fill me with your poison

Take me, ta-ta-take me

Wanna be your victim, ready for abduction

Boy, you're an alien

Your touch, so foreign

It's supernatural

Extraterrestrial

This is transcendental

On another level

Boy, you're my lucky star

I wanna walk on your wavelength

And be there when you vibrate

For you, I'll risk it all, all

Right before I finished the last verse she came back .

Right before I finished the last line, the door creaked again.

“ME,” Julia announced like a tiny judge delivering a verdict.

My voice cracked and died mid-note. The room went silent except for the last echo of the guitar string humming itself into nothing. I opened my eyes, half-expecting applause, half-expecting execution.

Julia stood there with her teddy tucked under one arm, head tilted, studying us like a scientist who’d just discovered a suspicious new species. Jacxs froze, his fingers still hovering over the strings, caught red-handed in the crime of existing.

“You stopped,” she said, mildly disappointed.

“Because you walked in,” I replied, pointing a drumstick at her. “Dramatic entrances have consequences.”

She considered that. Then she nodded, satisfied, and climbed onto the spare stool like she owned the place. “Continue. But quieter. Dad says the walls are vibrating and that’s ‘not how houses should feel.’”

Jacxs snorted before he could stop himself. He slapped a hand over his mouth, eyes wide, like he was waiting to be smote by an angry younger sibling god.

I laughed, still a little breathless, still feeling that weird buzzing in my chest. “See? Even the critics approve.”

He glanced at me, smiling softer now, less show-off, more real. “You’re… really good, you know that?”

I shrugged, suddenly very interested in adjusting my snare. “You’re not terrible yourself, guitar boy.”

“High praise,” he said solemnly.

Julia hopped down, marched up to him, and jabbed a finger into his chest. “You can play. You can stay. But if you make my sister cry—”

“I won’t,” he said quickly, hands up. “Scout’s honor. Even though I was never a scout.”

She narrowed her eyes, then nodded like a deal had been signed. Business concluded, she skipped out again, humming something wildly off-key.

The garage settled back into its familiar chaos—wires, wood, faint ringing ears. Jacxs leaned his guitar against the amp and sat beside me on the floor, close enough that I could feel the leftover energy buzzing off him.

“Same time tomorrow?” he asked, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I looked at my drum set. Looked at the door. Looked back at him.

“Yeah,” I said, grinning. “But next time, you’re singing too. Fair’s fair.”

The universe, clearly amused, let the silence agree.

He groaned like I’d just sentenced him to death. “Absolutely not.”

I tilted my head. “Coward.”

“Selective,” he corrected, tapping the guitar body. “I express myself through strings, not vocal cords. Those are private.”

I laughed and shoved his shoulder lightly with the back of my hand. “Funny how brave you were five minutes ago.”

“Adrenaline,” he said. “It lies.”

We sat there for a bit, the post-music silence doing that weird thing where it feels louder than the noise itself. My ears were still ringing, my hands still buzzing, like my body hadn’t gotten the memo that the performance was over.

From inside the house, Dad’s voice floated in. “Torrie! Snacks are here!”

Jacxs perked up instantly. “Your dad gives snacks?”

“Fruit and judgment,” I said. “Mostly fruit.”

We went inside and found my dad and Janet mid-conversation, already acting like they’d known each other for years. Julia was on the couch, feet kicking, absolutely demolishing a biscuit like it owed her money.

Janet smiled when she saw us. “You two sound like a concert back there.”

Dad nodded. “The garage may need therapy.”

Jacxs scratched the back of his neck, suddenly shy in a way he hadn’t been with a guitar in his hands. “Sorry, sir.”

Dad waved it off. “As long as nothing caught fire, we’re good.”

I caught Jacxs glancing at me, that same half-smile creeping back, the one that said yeah, we survived that. Something about it made my chest feel oddly warm, like I’d just unlocked a level in a game I didn’t know I was playing.

After snacks, after small talk, after Janet called him twice because “sunset means home,” Jacxs grabbed his guitar case and stood by the door.

“Tomorrow?” he asked again, quieter this time.

“Tomorrow,” I said.

He nodded, stepped out, then paused and looked back. “Hey, Torrie?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for… letting me play.”

I shrugged, but I was smiling. “Anytime.”

The door closed. The house felt different. Not quieter—just fuller, like something had shifted slightly to the left and decided to stay there.

Julia leaned over from the couch and whispered, loud enough to be illegal, “You like him.”

“I like music,” I said instantly.

She grinned, victorious. “Same thing.”

I rolled my eyes and headed back toward the garage, fingers already itching for drumsticks, my head buzzing with rhythms that hadn’t existed yesterday.

Some days start ordinary and end louder than they should.

This one felt like the beginning of something that was going to echo.