In the dense shadows of an abandoned forest house, Michael peered through the grimy window, his heart pounding as he spotted a person
—smoking a cigar and drawing dangerously close. Just a hundred meters away. Panic surged through him as he shouted in, "Everyone, get out through the back door! Go!"
"Idiot!" he snapped at Bob, who had returned instead of fleeing. "I told you to leave!"
Bob insisted he couldn't abandon him.
Each step bringing him closer to the house. Meanwhile, Naina, Angela, Emma, and Berlin tore toward the back door, their feet pounding the ground in frantic haste. But Michael and Bob decided to stay behind, hoping to find an escape route.
As Berlin sprinted, his foot landed on something cold and metallic. A hollow echo resonated beneath him; shock washed over him—there was a basement underneath. But they had to focus on escaping first.
Beneath the floor, a long staircase descended into darkness, leading to a basement where men and women—children too—were chained, their bodies naked and covered in blood. The sight was horrific; at least fifty individuals languished in despair, too weak to cry out, their chains glistening in the dim light as blood pooled around them.
Upstairs, Emma and the others frantically made their way toward the exit. The person outside was coming closer and closer, heard their hurried footsteps and suspected he was not alone. He quickened his pace as Michael, still peering cautiously, signaled to Bob to prepare for anything.
An alarm clanged, —*click, click, click.*
"Wake up, Berlin! Berlin, get your lazy butt out of bed! I've been yelling for ten minutes!"
Berlin jolted awake as his mother stormed into the room.
"Mom, it's Sunday, isn't it?" he muttered with sleepy face.
"What? It's Saturday! You have school today! Go brush your teeth!" she bellowed.
"Alright, alright," Berlin replied, still half-asleep.
In the meanwhile, Michael—a picture of readiness—was chatting with his father, Max.
As Mary entered downstairs, she eyed the pair suspiciously. "What are you two chuckling about this early?"
Max grinned, "Michael says he could make your nose look better with plastic surgery."
Both of them laughed heartily, but Mary quickly countered, "Michael, tell your father he needs to brush his teeth daily—his breath still stinks!" She pretended to gag.
Michael chuckled, "Yeah, you two need to get along. By the way, Mom, I need to head out to uni; is breakfast ready?"
"Yes, honey!" she called back.
Meanwhile, Naina practiced her dance moves, blasting music through the speakers.
"Naina! Turn that thing off and get downstairs for breakfast!" Mary yelled.
With urgency building, she turned to Max, "My head is pounding from this chaos!"
Berlin and Angela scrambled to get ready for school, realizing they were late.
"Honey, summer holidays start next week, and I'm bored senseless doing house chores. Can you take us on a trip?" Mary sighed.
"Yeah! I was just going to bring that up," Max said enthusiastically. "My childhood friend from California invited our family for a fun four-day trip!"
"Really? Let's go then!" Mary exclaimed, excitement bubbling.
Angela, Berlin, and Naina, just coming down the stairs, overheard and yelled in unison, "Hell yeah! California, baby!"
Michael chuckled at the happy chaos. "Alright, Mom, I'm off!" he said, finishing his breakfast. "And Dad, can I invite my girlfriend? I know it's a family trip, but please?"
Max and Mary exchanged glances. "Of course! We'd love to have her along!"
Max shouted, "It's going to be a great trip!"
Later, at university, Michael shared the thrilling news with Emma, who beamed with joy at the idea of the trip.
"I'm so glad you invited me…" she hesitated, a tinge of uncertainty in her voice.
"What is it? Do you have other plans?" Michael asked, concerned.
"No! It's just… my parents are celebrating their anniversary in Europe, leaving me and Bob at home. If I go with you, he would be alone, and my parents would be furious."
Michael thought for a moment. "Why not ask him to join us then?"
"Are you sure?" she asked, conflicted. "It's your family trip; I don't want to intrude."
"Come on! My parents will be coming in their car, and we'll take my car. You can invite Bob—my parents already agreed!"
"Okay! I'll pack my bag and share this exciting news with Bob!"
Michael smiled as she dashed off to relay the good fortune. Bob was ecstatic; he had feared a dull summer alone.
"Let's go to California!" he yelled, enthusiasm palpable.
That night, during dinner, Michael announced that Emma and Bob would be joining them. The news brightened everyone's spirits, especially Naina's.
*Naina thought,* "So Bob's coming with us! It's my perfect opportunity to confess my feelings to him!"