Episode 65

I entered the living room, my steps hesitant, sensing an atmosphere thick with tension. I had a bad feeling about this, but I still entered, knowing that turning back would get me nowhere. There, standing with an armored expression, was my stepmother, her eyes narrowed with anger. Fear pricked at my skin as I wondered what transgression had led her to summon me in such a manner. It had to be something bad, or perhaps something that didn't even make sense. She’d always find a reason to be angry at me anyway.

"Alondra," she hissed through clenched teeth, "how could you be so careless? Leaving the door open during the night, inviting danger into our home! Are you trying to get all of us killed? Is that your plan?"

I stared at her trying to figure out what she was talking about. I could feel the anger emerging from her body. The way she stared at me was with pure disdain and anger. Slowly, her words struck me like a blow, and I immediately felt a pang of guilt gnawing at my conscience.