The sky dimmed as evening descended.
Inside the kitchen, the aroma of curry and freshly cooked rice wafted through the air. Vicky stirred the pot, lost in thought. In the living room, Evan and Emily giggled at a cartoon, their laughter a warm backdrop to the clatter of pans.
Evan turned toward the kitchen, hesitating.
"Something on your mind?" Vicky asked, noticing his presence.
"I couldn't resist the smell," he said with a half-smile. "It's... amazing."
Vicky nodded. "Almost done."
He lingered. "You okay?"
She glanced at him. "Just… overwhelmed."
"You saved those kids," he said. "That's huge."
She sighed. "Sometimes I wish I could be more—take down those monsters, abusers, criminals. That bastard even raised his hand on a woman..."
The fury in her voice startled him.
"I'd punch him again if I could," she said, her hands shaking.
"Yikes," Evan said. "Chill, Rambo."
Somewhere along a dim road lined with trees, Nathan drove slowly, jazz music playing low. His thoughts swirled around Vicky.
"Why does she make me feel… grounded?" he whispered.
Then—screech—a van cut across the road. Masked men emerged. Nathan slammed the brakes, heart racing.
Catty's car tore through the streets, her sobs racking her body.
"Why me? Always me?!" she screamed, slamming the steering wheel.
At a red light, another driver glanced at her—concerned—but Catty didn't see. She was drowning.
Back home, the siblings settled down. Vicky sang softly, lulling Emily to sleep with a lullaby. As she gathered Barbie pieces from the floor, she noticed Evan, restless, by the door.
"You expecting someone?" she asked.
"Huh? No. Just… like the air," he said quickly.
"Mmm." Her gaze dropped to the floor. "What's this?"
She bent down and picked up a badge marked "AID."
Evan lunged for it. "Oh, that? Just a school project from fifth grade," he said.
"This looks… professionally made."
"My dad helped."
Vicky's temples throbbed. A wave of dizziness hit her. "My head… Can you get my meds?"
Evan darted to his room.
In the silence, Emily tiptoed back in, grabbing Vicky's phone.
She dialed the only number she remembered—Nathan's.
The call rang.
And the night held its breath.