After everything that had happened to Joseph, a quiet sadness lingered across the neighborhood. The shock of the incident was still visible on everyone's faces.
A few days after Joseph's incident
Inside Lucas's house, a young boy around eight years old slowly woke up from his bed. Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he walked downstairs.
As soon as he reached the bottom of the stairs, a delicious smell filled his nose.
"Brother Lucas, what are you making? It smells delicious!"
Suddenly, a deep voice came from the kitchen.
"Oh, Aiden. You finally woke up. Go brush your teeth first, then come eat your breakfast."
Hearing the familiar voice, Aiden quickly rushed toward the kitchen.
The moment he entered, he ran straight up and hugged the tall man standing there.
"A young man, twenty-one years old."
Aiden's face lit up with excitement as he ran toward his older brother.
"Big Brother William! You're finally back. We missed you. It's been almost a year since you left home for your job."
William smiled warmly and ruffled Aiden's hair.
"Yes, I'm back. How have you been? I heard from Alon that you ranked third in your class. Is that true? Good work. Keep it up, but don't stress yourself too much over studying, alright? By the way, where is Lucas?"
Aiden nodded and replied casually.
"Oh! Big Brother lucas is still sleeping."
"That boy is still sleeping?" William asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
"Yes. Since today is Sunday, he plans to sleep longer than usual."
At that moment, Lucas woke up from the noise upstairs. Curious, he walked downstairs and immediately spotted William standing there. His face brightened with joy.
" Brother William! You finally came back!"
He rushed forward and hugged him tightly.
William chuckled softly.
"I see you too. Now go brush your teeth and eat your breakfast before it gets cold."
•~~~•
Meanwhile, at Derrick's house, his father Jackson sat on the couch, watching the news on television.
The news anchor reported, "In many deserted parts of the world, sudden snowfall has been increasing. Several desert regions are now being covered in snow."
Jackson frowned as he watched the report.
"If this climate change doesn't stop, the Earth will soon be destroyed."
Amelia called from the dining area.
"Alright. Derrick, come to the dining table. Dinner is ready."
A few seconds later, Derrick replied from his room.
"Yes, Mother. Wait a little."
A few minutes later, Derrick came out and sat down at the dining table with his whole family. As they ate together, Derrick seemed strangely quiet, lost in his thoughts.
Inside his mind, a tense thought echoed again and again.
"I don't have enough time. I have to complete my task."
•~~~•
Chloe Moore, Alon's stepsister, stood in the kitchen, carefully preparing a cup of coffee for her father, Caleb Moore. The soft aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the room as she placed the cup in front of him.
"Father, here is your coffee."
Caleb accepted the cup with a warm, gentle smile.
"Thank you, child."
But Chloe's expression suddenly hardened. A hint of irritation appeared on her face as she asked sharply,
"Father, where is my brother?"
Caleb noticed the anger in his daughter's eyes and became slightly uneasy. Clearing his throat nervously, he replied,
"H-hmm… Alon? He was sleeping in his room. He said he wanted to sleep early because he has a trip tomorrow with his friend Lucas and Lucas's family."
The moment Chloe heard this, her face changed. The anger quickly faded, replaced by a deep blush of embarrassment and shyness.
"Dad… can I go with them?" she asked softly.
Before Caleb could answer, a gentle voice came from behind them.
"Alon asked me to tell you that you could come with them if you wanted… but I forgot to mention it. Sorry."
It was Caleb's wife, Anne.
Chloe turned toward her mother, her irritation returning immediately.
"Mother! Why did you forget to tell me this? I want to go too! I'm going to sleep now. Wake me up early in the morning—and tell my brother that I'm coming with them as well. Bye! I love you both."
Without waiting for a response, Chloe hurried upstairs.
Caleb and Anne watched her go, exchanging amused smiles.
Later that night, the house was quiet.
On the roof, a shadowy figure crouched in the darkness, holding a pair of binoculars in his right hand as he observed the house below.
After a moment, he spoke quietly into the night.
"Father… we have finally found him."