SHE'S A FOE, NOT A FRIEND

CHASE

I woke up with a start, my heart racing, as I saw Ariel’s face looming over me. Her smile was menacing, and the pillow in her hand made me fear for my life. But just as she was about to suffocate me, Austin’s voice called out from afar,

“Dad, wake up!” I jolted upright, realizing it was just a nightmare.

Austin climbed onto my lap, and we chatted for a bit until he told me Lisa had sent him to wake me up for breakfast.

As we headed downstairs, I couldn’t shake off the lingering fear from my dream. The whole family was already seated at the breakfast table, including Monica, Caleb, Grandpa Piet, and my mom Lisa. We exchanged light conversations during breakfast until Caleb mentioned the board meeting about Apollo. Monica’s curiosity was piqued, and she asked about Apollo’s identity. Just as grandfather was about to reveal the truth, I cut him off, not wanting Monica to know about Ariel’s return just yet. Caleb gave me a suspicious look, and I knew he was wondering what I was h