The holiday house was quiet compared to the chaos of Cedar Heights. My siblings raced around, unpacking, laughing, and arguing over who got which room. My parents were in the kitchen, Mom arranging snacks, Dad reading the newspaper.
I sat on my bed, hands folded in my lap, my bag still half-packed from school. My mind replayed every word from Eden's family dinner—the warning, the name, the cold authority in their voices. Michael Williams… my uncle… dead… killed…
Mom appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a towel. "Aisha… you've been so quiet. Something's wrong. I can see it in your eyes. Please, tell me what's troubling you."
I swallowed, my throat dry. "Mom… it's… it's about my uncle."
Her eyes widened. "Michael? What about him?"
I took a deep breath, unsure where to start. Every word I'd say would bring the past rushing back, would reopen wounds, would stir tension I wasn't ready for.
"I… I just found out… something. Something that… happened. Something… I didn't know."
Mom's face tightened, worry etching every line. "Aisha… you're scaring me. What is it? You know you can tell me anything."
I nodded, fighting back tears. "It's… it's about the dinner at Eden's house. His parents… they… they… knew him. My uncle… Michael. And… they—" I stopped, unable to speak for a moment, the weight of the truth pressing down.
Mom's hand went to my cheek, gentle but firm. "Slow down, sweetheart. Take your time. Just tell me what you can."
I let out a shaky breath. "They… they said he was… dangerous. That… that they couldn't… I mean, they… they were the ones who—"
Mom's eyes narrowed slightly, a mixture of shock and fear. "Who… what?"
"I… I didn't know at first… but I overheard them talking. Eden's parents… they… my uncle… Michael… they—"
I could feel the room closing in, my heart pounding, my palms clammy. My parents were silent, absorbing the words, their expressions a mixture of disbelief, worry, and suspicion.
Dad finally spoke, voice low and steady. "Aisha… slow down. Let me understand this. Are you saying… your uncle… was killed… by… Eden's family?"
I nodded, tears slipping down my cheeks. "I… I don't know why… I mean… it's all so… complicated… and now… Eden… and me… we… I don't know if we can… it's dangerous."
Mom's hand gripped mine, firm and warm. "Oh, baby… I wish you had told us sooner. We'll figure this out. We'll protect you. But first… we need to know everything. Every detail."
I nodded, swallowing hard, my heart racing. The secrets were out now. There was no going back. And somehow… the suspense, the fear, the uncertainty… it all felt heavier now that I had said it aloud.
Maya's words from the semester echoed in my mind: God sees your heart, Aisha. He knows your courage. He knows your effort. You're stronger than you think.
I wiped my tears. "I'll tell you everything… but you have to promise… no one else. Not yet."
Mom nodded, her face serious. "Promise. Now… start from the beginning."
And so I did.