Star's heart was pounding as fragments of her recent conversation with Maria echoed in her head. Something wasn't right—she could feel it. The atmosphere had shifted. Fear slithered into her gut like a snake coiling for a strike.
They all gathered in the living room.
After a formal introduction, the officer stepped forward.
"We're here on official business. We've been issued a search and arrest warrant for this property," he said sternly.
Bonita glanced at Star, wide-eyed and trembling. Star caught the look and quickly shook her head, silently telling her to stay calm.
Just then, Maria walked down from upstairs, eyes calculating. She exchanged a subtle nod with Mr. Romero. Star noticed. Her breath caught in her throat. Her instincts screamed: They're working together.
"Hope I'm safe, Lord," Star muttered under her breath.
Maria walked behind her and deliberately brushed Star's shoulder. Star flinched. Maria smirked.
"Mrs. Davids," the officer began, "we're here following a complaint made by Mr. Romero. He reported a stolen firearm."
"What?" Mandume stepped forward. "A stolen gun?"
"Yes. And unfortunately, our tracking system shows it's somewhere in this house," the officer replied.
Christine narrowed her eyes. "In this house?"
"Correct. Mr. Romero installed a tracker on his weapon. The signal brought us here," the officer explained.
Maria scoffed. "That's impossible. I only live here with my children and my mother-in-law. No one in this house would—could—steal a gun."
"I understand your disbelief, ma'am," the officer said. "But we're not here on speculation. We're following hard data. The tracker map shows the weapon is currently nearby. We'll also run fingerprint scans once we retrieve it. Whoever touched it will be identified—and held accountable."
Star's knees weakened.
Maria turned to her. "Star, anything you want to say before we begin?"
All eyes turned. Star could barely breathe.
Mandume looked at her. "What's going on, Mom? Why are you targeting Star?"
Bonita mumbled under her breath, "What's Mom up to this time?"
Maria folded her arms. "All I'm saying is, she looks a little... uncomfortable."
She stepped closer to Star, voice low and malicious: "This is it, Star Shining. You're leaving this house today—and our lives. I made sure of it."
"Officer, you may proceed," she said out loud.
The officer nodded. "Thank you. I'll head straight to where the tracker leads. We won't disturb your personal belongings unless necessary."
Everyone followed the officer as he moved... toward Star's room.
Star's stomach dropped. Her eyes darted wildly. "Oh God, did she set me up?" she whispered.
Maria's hand landed on her shoulder again. "In case you faint," she said coldly.
But just as the officer reached Star's door, he paused. Then turned.
The tracker redirected him—upstairs.
Maria froze. "What?"
Confusion painted her face as the officer climbed the stairs, everyone trailing behind. The room he approached: Maria's.
Christine gasped. Bonita's hand flew to her mouth.
The officer entered Maria's room. He moved directly to the closet. The tracker beeped louder and louder as he approached one of Maria's jackets—the same one she'd worn out yesterday morning.
He pulled it out, reached inside with a handkerchief, and extracted the gun.
Maria's face turned pale. Mr. Romero's expression was unreadable.
"Mom?!" Mandume shouted.
Maria blinked. "What?! How did that get in there?!"
The officer didn't flinch. "We'll find out now. Time to scan for prints."
They all returned to the living room.
A compact fingerprint scanner was set up. If the print matched, it would blink green. If not, red.
Mandume scanned first. Red. Bonita. Red.
Then came Star.
She hesitated, her palms clammy, her soul nearly leaping from her chest.
"Oh God. I'm dead today," she whispered.
Maria beamed with twisted satisfaction. "Come on, Star. Don't be afraid. It's not like the gun's loaded," she mocked.
Romero chimed in, "It's perfectly safe. Just scan."
Star looked at Mandume with terrified eyes.
He stood beside her, his voice gentle. "Don't worry. It's just a scanner. No one's accusing you."
His kindness confused her even more.
"What's he saying?" she whispered. "Does he think I did it?"
Her fear only fueled Maria's smugness.
Maria leaned in, whispering cruelly, "I've never seen a dumber girl. You planted it in my room and thought I wouldn't find out?"
Star swallowed hard.
She finally placed her hand on the scanner.
BEEP... RED.
The device blinked bright red.
Everyone stared.
Maria's jaw dropped.
Star stood tall, her eyes burning into Maria's. Then, wiping a single tear from her cheek, she looked, steady and cold: