othing were amiss. But the feeling of being watched followed me all the wa

ng heavily, I found my mom in t

m smile. "What took you so long? I've been waiting for you for like

d's place and I lost track of time,"

d get ready fast. I'll be waiting for y

dding as I made my way u

able for visiting family. My mind raced with thoughts of the strange encounter with

task at hand. As I finished getting ready, I couldn't shake

de my way back downstairs to join my mom. She was waiting for

ed, smiling warmly as

rning her smile as we stepped out

e navigated the familiar streets of the neighborhood. My mom seemed lost in t

of apprehension wash over me. The events of the day had left me on edg

our way up to the front door, I pushed a

rom the windows, casting long shadows across the porch. The scent of home-

he ushered us inside. He was a tall man, with kind eyes and a welcoming demeanor. He

een waiting for you," Uncle Samuel sai

om replied, returning his smile as sh

laughter and chatter coming from the kitchen

my attention to a familiar fac

your home, and I am your family," Uncle Samuel said, his word

Benjamin, Alec's friend, whom I had encountered earlier at the party. The other was a woma

y lovely wife, Emily," Uncle Samuel s

olite smile as I shook hands with Benjam

ting, the scent of home-cooked food mingling

t help but feel a sense of comfort and belonging w

and stirring up a hunger that I hadn't realized I'd had. It wasn't long before my uncle's wife, Emily,

the dining table," Emily said, her vo

a delicious spread of food. The table was adorned with steaming dishes of c

mple pleasure of sharing a meal with loved ones. Despite the earlier tensions

of surprise and uncertainty reflected in his expression. It was surreal to think that we

ier encounter at the party. I couldn't shake the feeling of distrust that Alec's presence h

portunity to strike up a conversation with Benj

that we're cousins," I said, trying to keep my to

n guarded as he replied, "Yeah

arlier," I continued, my voice tinged with a hint of accusa

ly, but he remained silent, see

ate any nonsense from him or anyone else," I add

en words hanging heavy in the air. But before either of us could say any

y now, and family sticks together," she said, her w