In the cozy confines of their living room, Leonard nervously approached his mother with a deep sense of concern etched across his young face. It was a quiet Sunday afternoon, sunlight filtering through the curtains, casting warm patterns on the carpeted floor."Mom," Leonard began hesitantly, "I need to talk to you about something really important."Helene, seated on the plush couch, looked up from her book, her eyes immediately drawn to her son's troubled expression. She set the book aside and patted the empty space next to her, inviting Leonard to sit down."What's on your mind, sweetheart?" she asked, her voice filled with motherly concern.Leonard took a deep breath before he began to recount the unsettling events that had been unfolding at school. "It's Edgar, Mom," he said, his voice quivering. "He's been acting really strange lately, and I think he's planning something bad. Something really bad."Helene furrowed her brow, her maternal instincts kicking in as she listened intent

"So students, you all are going to be writing your final exams very soon and it is required of you to be very serious with the remaining weeks that you have so as to pass all your grades. Failure to pass your subjects will have you repeating this class and it is not my wish for anyone to repeat this class," he said.Leonard glanced at Daniel sitting opposite him and they both knew what the teacher meant by that. Leonard in particular didn't want his mother's efforts to be in vain especially as she had trained him from the cradle till now without a father figure in their life. The best gift he could give to her was passing all his subjects and making her proud and he knew that that was what he needed to do. She meant so much to him and he to her and he wanted to see her smile every day of his life."So students, if you need an extra hand in your studies, my office is always open and you can always walk into any of your teacher's office. They will explain anything that needs explaining,

When Leonard returned home after another exhausting day at school, he could feel the weight of his secret pressing upon him. He walked through the front door, kicked off his shoes, and sighed as he entered the cozy living room. His mother was sitting on the couch, reading a book, but she looked up and smiled as he entered."Hey there, champ," she greeted him. "How was your day at school?"Leonard hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "It was okay, I guess," he replied, trying to sound nonchalant.Helene could tell something was bothering her son. She closed her book and patted the seat next to her. "Come sit down, Leonard. Tell me what's on your mind."Leonard sat down beside his mother, his face etched with concern. He began recounting his day, starting with the usual routine of classes and lunch. He spoke about his friends, the funny moments, and even some challenging assignments but he held back the real reason for his distress.As Leonard continued to talk, Helen

Leonard walked back home, his steps heavy with the weight of what had just transpired on the street. The echoes of the gunshots still reverberated in his ears, and the memory of the chaos was etched vividly in his mind. As he made his way through the familiar streets, he couldn't help but replay the terrifying scene in his head.The shooting had been sudden, a burst of violence that shattered the tranquility of the neighborhood. Leonard had been in the wrong place at the wrong time, caught in the crossfire of something he couldn't quite comprehend. Panic had gripped him as the bullets whizzed past, and instinct had taken over.He thought about how close he had come to losing his life. The realization gnawed at him, leaving a lingering sense of dread. If he hadn't sprinted for cover into the nearby ice cream shop, he might not be here now, walking home with each step feeling like a gift. The cold chill of fear had gripped his heart as he hid among the colorful tubs of frozen treats, th

After school, Leonard discreetly slipped away from the bustling hallway, determined to follow the instructions given by the system. His curiosity had been piqued, and he couldn't resist the urge to locate Andrew, despite the enigmatic nature of the task.As he briskly walked through the crowded streets of his small town, Leonard couldn't shake the feeling of excitement mixed with apprehension that swirled within him. The sun cast long shadows on the pavement as he headed toward the old, abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. It was a place filled with memories, both good and bad, but he was drawn to it, unable to resist the system's directive.Daniel trailed behind him, sensing Leonard's secrecy and unease. "Hey, Leonard," Daniel called out, trying to catch up, "where are you going?"Leonard slowed his pace just enough to maintain some distance between them. He turned to Daniel, his face painted with a false smile. "Oh, nowhere special, just checking out something I heard abou