MEANWHILE — AT THE ALBRECHT HOUSE
The house was quieter than usual.
Morning sunlight slipped through the windows, illuminating the dust particles floating in the air as Rayan's mother busied herself cleaning the old living room.
She had been wanting to tidy up this house for a long time—
to throw away unused things,
to sort through old boxes,
to clear shelves full of memories.
When she slid out a wooden box from under the table, something inside made her stop.
A dusty photo album.
Light blue cover.
The edges worn and frayed.
Slowly, she opened it.
And on the very first page…
There was little Rayan.
Chubby cheeks.
Messy hair.
A bright, innocent smile.
Tiny hands holding a toy car.
Round eyes full of joy and no worries.
Rayan's mother instantly covered her mouth.
Her eyes warmed with tears.
She touched the photo with trembling fingers.
"Ray… you grew up so fast…" she whispered.
She flipped through the pages one by one.
Rayan in kindergarten.
Baby Rayan trying to eat his own toes—her favorite funny picture.
Seven-year-old Rayan with a scraped knee after falling from his bike, still smiling proudly.
Ten-year-old Rayan holding a running trophy.
Rayan posing "tough" while still wearing cartoon sandals.
This time, she couldn't hold it in.
Tears fell softly onto the corner of the page.
She wiped her cheek quickly, shaking her head like she was trying to steady herself.
But her chest felt tight—more than usual.
"I see you every day," she said softly, "but… I still feel like you're my little boy… the one I used to hold at night so you wouldn't have bad dreams."
Her finger traced over little Rayan's cheek in the photo.
"And now… you're getting older… stronger… more stubborn… and…"
Her voice wavered.
"…and I'm scared that someday you'll grow too far away from me."
She closed the album slowly and pulled it against her chest, hugging it as if hugging the small boy inside it.
Another tear rolled down.
"Ray… I just want you to be happy," she whispered shakily.
"Don't grow up too fast… please…"
She closed her eyes.
In the quiet of that old house, she missed the small version of her son—
the version who used to hide in her arms,
before the world toughened him,
before life gave him physical pain…
and heartache.
Class 10-B was unusually quiet.
Ms. Kareen stood at the front, writing a new chapter on the board.
Liana sat neatly in her chair, taking notes with full concentration.
Nate and Soren pretended to pay attention—while secretly doodling monsters in their textbooks.
Meanwhile…
In the middle row, at his seat—
Rayan had completely knocked out.
Head tilted back.
Cap sliding sideways.
Mouth slightly open.
Peacefully asleep like he owned the place.
No one noticed at first.
Until…
Evan—sitting just behind Liana—slowly raised his hand.
With a voice far too firm for the situation, he said:
"Ma'am, someone is sleeping."
The entire class froze, then turned as one toward Rayan.
Nate and Soren looked like someone just slapped them with cold fish.
Nate's jaw dropped.
"Bro… did he just report Rayan??"
Soren facepalmed.
"Oh my god. Rookie mistake. Fastest way to get killed."
Ms. Kareen narrowed her eyes.
"Who's sleeping? Rayan?!"
She marched toward him.
Rayan—still dead asleep—had no idea his life was in danger.
Liana shook her head quietly, half annoyed, half resigned.
She murmured under her breath:
"That boy… always…"
She glanced back just enough to see Rayan sleeping like a very exhausted toddler.
Evan added, even more self-righteous:
"He's been sleeping for a while, Ma'am. I thought… he should be reprimanded."
Nate and Soren stared at each other in horror.
"He's dead," Nate whispered.
"Not by the teacher. By Rayan," Soren corrected.
Ms. Kareen slapped her palm on Rayan's desk.
"RAYAN!"
Rayan jolted so hard he nearly fell off his chair.
"HUH?! YES!! I DIDN'T CHEAT!!!"
The entire class burst into laughter.
Liana covered her face, embarrassed for him.
"Oh god…"
Evan just sat upright, pretending he did nothing wrong.
Rayan rubbed his eyes, dazed and confused.
"What? What's happening?"
Ms. Kareen glared at him.
"You were sleeping in my class."
Rayan's sleepy eyes swept across the room—
and landed on Evan, who stared back with that lawful-good hero expression.
Rayan instantly understood.
"Oh… so that's how it is…" he muttered.
The class finally settled, but inside his chest…
Rayan marked something important:
Evan Callister just snitched on him.
Which meant…