Lucy didn't remember how she finished work that day.
Everything felt… off.
Voices around her sounded distant.
People passed by her, whispering.
Not even trying to hide it anymore.
"That's her…"
"She's the one…"
"I heard they already caught her…"
Lucy kept her head down.
Focused on walking.
One step at a time.
By the time she got home, the sky was already dim.
The house was quiet.
Too quiet.
"I'm home," she said, stepping inside.
Her father was in the sitting room.
Just like the past few days.
Since he lost his job.
Sitting in the same spot.
Quiet.
Her chest tightened a little.
"Good evening, Dad."
He looked up and gave a small smile.
"Welcome."
Her mother came out from the kitchen.
"You're late today."
"Work," Lucy replied shortly.
Ruben glanced at her from the corner.
Watching her closely.
Like he was trying to read her.
Lucy dropped her bag and sat down.
Trying to act normal.
But her hands—
They weren't steady.
Her mother noticed.
"Are you okay?"
Lucy forced a small smile.
"I'm fine."
Silence settled for a moment.
Her father cleared his throat.
"I'll go out tomorrow," he said. "See if I can find something."
Her mother nodded.
"It will be fine."
Lucy lowered her eyes.
Guilt sat heavy in her chest.
What if all of this… is connected?
She quickly pushed the thought away.
"I'll go and freshen up," she said, standing up.
No one stopped her.
But she could feel Ruben's eyes on her.
Inside her room—
She closed the door quietly.
Then leaned against it.
Her breathing wasn't steady.
She walked slowly to her bed and sat down.
Staring at nothing.
Everything was closing in.
Work.
The accusation.
That man.
She ran her fingers through her hair.
"This is too much…" she whispered.
A soft knock came.
Before she could answer, the door opened slightly.
Ruben stepped in.
He leaned against the door.
Watching her.
"You're not okay," he said.
Lucy looked up.
"I said I'm fine."
He shook his head.
"You're lying."
She looked away.
Ruben stepped closer.
"What happened at work?"
Her chest tightened.
She wanted to talk.
To say everything.
But the image of her father sitting quietly in the living room stopped her.
"…Nothing," she said finally.
Ruben exhaled slowly.
"Alright."
But his tone said he didn't believe her.
He turned to leave.
Then paused.
"If something is wrong," he said quietly, "don't carry it alone."
Then he walked out.
Lucy sat there.
Still.
Her phone buzzed.
She frowned and picked it up.
Unknown number.
Her heart skipped.
For a few seconds—
She just stared at it.
Then she answered.
"…Hello?"
Silence.
Then a voice.
Low.
Calm.
"Be ready."
The line went dead.
Lucy slowly lowered the phone.
Her fingers tightened around it.
That voice
She knew it.