Chapter 1

The buzzing from my phone cut through the quiet of my room, it was early, too early for anyone to be texting.

My SATs were today, the exam that felt like it decided my whole future, college, scholarships, everything.

I glanced at the screen, an unknown number.

"DON'T TAKE THE EXAM!"

My breath caught, I knew that tone, even in a text, it felt like Michael.

Michael, my older brother, he vanished three years ago, the morning of his own SATs.

Mom and Dad said he couldn't handle the pressure, that he just ran away.

I never believed that, not for a second. Michael wouldn't just leave, not without a word to me. We had a bond, a promise.

I tried calling the number back immediately, my fingers fumbled on the screen.

"The number you have dialed has been disconnected."

A dead end, just like every other time I'd tried to find a trace of him.

My heart sank, but then the phone buzzed again, same unknown sender.

"DON'T TELL MOM. THEY AREN'T WHO YOU THINK."

A chill went down my spine, what did that mean?

"Sarah! Are you ready? You can't be late today!" Mom' s voice called from downstairs, too cheerful.

I quickly shoved my phone under my pillow just as my bedroom door opened.

Mom stood there, a bright smile on her face, but her eyes looked a little too intense.

"Morning, sweetie. Big day! I made your favorite breakfast, blueberry pancakes."

She was trying too hard, her cheerfulness felt off.

"Just getting my books," I mumbled, grabbing my SAT review guide from my desk, making sure it covered the phone.

"Good, good. Your father is already downstairs. We' re all rooting for you."

She came closer, her eyes scanning my room.

I tried to act normal, "Yeah, I know. A bit nervous, that's all."

"Don't be nervous, you're brilliant. You'll do great, just like we discussed."

Her hand rested on my shoulder, a little too firm.

I decided to test the waters, the warning from the text echoing in my head.

"I was just thinking about Michael this morning," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Mom's smile vanished, her face hardened instantly.

"Sarah, we do not talk about Michael. Not today, not ever. He made his choice."

Her voice was cold, sharp, a complete shift from her earlier sweetness.

"He was under a lot of pressure too," I pushed, my gaze fixed on her.

"Enough!" she snapped, her eyes flashing. "He was weak. You are not weak. You will take that exam, and you will succeed. Do you understand me?"

The force in her voice was startling, it wasn't just concern, it felt like a command, a threat.

This wasn't the mother I knew, or maybe, I was just starting to see who she really was.