Here's the next chapter:
Chapter 8: Family Ties
Ethan's mind was still reeling from the stranger's revelations as they walked back to his car. He had so many questions, but he knew he couldn't ask them all at once.
As they reached the car, the stranger turned to him. "Ethan, I know this is a lot to take in. But I need you to be careful. The Order is always watching, and if they find out about you..."
Ethan nodded, feeling a sense of determination. "I'll be careful. But what about my family? Are they in danger?"
The stranger's expression turned serious. "I don't think so, Ethan. At least, not yet. But we need to be cautious. If the Order finds out about your family, they could use them against you."
Ethan's heart skipped a beat at the thought. He had to protect his family, no matter what.
As they drove back to Ethan's house, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease. What was he getting himself into? And how could he keep his family safe?
When they arrived at the house, Ethan's mother was in the kitchen, cooking dinner. His father was in the living room, watching TV.
Ethan's mother smiled as he walked in. "Hey, sweetie! How was your day?"
Ethan hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "It was fine, Mom. Just a lot of studying."
His mother nodded, her eyes sparkling with concern. "You're working too hard, Ethan. You need to take a break sometime."
Ethan smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude. His family had always been supportive, and he knew he could count on them no matter what.
As they sat down to dinner, Ethan's father asked him about his classes. Ethan launched into a detailed explanation of his psychology paper, trying to distract himself from the events of the day.
But as they ate, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that his life was about to change forever. He had a secret now, a secret that could put his family in danger.
As the night wore on, Ethan's anxiety grew. He knew he had to be careful, but he also knew he couldn't keep his family in the dark forever.
As he went to bed that night, Ethan's mind was racing with questions. What would happen next? And how could he keep his family safe?
To be continued