Bunch of betrayals Mr. Larkin couldn't bear the headache Miller was causing him. He sat at the kitchen table, his head in his hands, feeling the weight of the constant stress. His wife, Mrs. Larkin, approached him, sensing his turmoil. "What’s wrong, dear?" she asked gently, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her, his eyes tired and filled with frustration. "I can't put up with Miller anymore. He's become too much for me to handle. I’ve tried, we’ve tried, but nothing seems to get through to him." Mrs. Larkin sighed, knowing this conversation was coming. "I know he's been difficult, but he's our son. We can't just give up on him." Mr. Larkin shook his head, standing up from the table. "It's not about giving up. I’m afraid that with the way he's going, he might cause us a serious problem or worse. He might be the death of us." Mrs. Larkin’s eyes widened in shock. "You don’t mean that. He will change." "I do," he replied firmly. "I've been thinking about i

The Larkin’s regret Miller clenched his fists, glaring at his parents before storming off to his room. The anger and frustration boiled within him, making it hard to think clearly. Once inside his room, he slammed the door shut and leaned against it, breathing heavily. He couldn’t believe his own parents were turning against him. To him, they were just fake people pretending to care. He pulled out his phone and began scrolling through his contacts. He needed a place to hide, somewhere safe where his parents wouldn’t find him. He started making calls, one after another. “Hey, it’s Miller. I need a place to crash for a while. Can you help me out?” he asked his friend Mike. “Sorry, man. I can’t get involved in whatever trouble you’re in,” Mike replied before hanging up. Miller cursed under his breath and called another friend. “Jake, I’m in a bind. Can I stay with you for a bit?” Jake hesitated. “I don’t know, Miller. Things are tight around here. I can’t risk it.” After a few mo

Unexpected meeting Mr. Larkin was deep in his investigation, his determination unstoppable despite the numerous dead ends he had encountered. He walked into the hospital, his mind was focused on finding any information about Miller’s biological parents. The hallways were bustling with activity, doctors and nurses moving quickly from one patient to another. He approached the reception desk, trying to look as composed as possible. “Excuse me,” Mr. Larkin began, “please do you have a record of all the adoption that happened here twenty-five years ago? Is there someone I can speak to?” He was sure that it was this hospital. The receptionist glanced up, giving him a polite but guarded smile. “I'm not sure, sir. Moreover, we don't usually don’t disclose such information. You would need to speak with our records department, but they’re not available at the moment.” Mr. Larkin sighed, frustration bubbling up inside him. “Is there anyone else I can talk to? It’s quite urgent.” Just

Miller’s strategy That evening, Mr. Larkin prepared to meet his contact. He left the house quietly, not wanting to draw Miller's attention. Mrs. Larkin gave him a worried look as he slipped out the door."Be careful," she whispered, squeezing his hand."I will," he assured her, planting a quick kiss on her forehead. "This might be our only chance."Driving through the low-lit streets, Mr. Larkin's mind raced. He rehearsed what he would say, how he would explain the situation without giving too much away. His heart pounded as he approached the meeting spot, a secluded café on the outskirts of town.His contact was already there, sitting in a dark corner. Mr. Larkin joined him, the weight of the situation pressing down on his shoulders."Thank you for coming," Mr. Larkin began, his voice low.The man nodded, his expression serious. "You said it was urgent. What’s going on?"Mr. Larkin took a deep breath and explained, carefully omitting any sensitive details. "I need to find the Shaman

DisappointmentMr. Larkin waited for another week before he returned to the shaman’s estate. This time, his determination was firmer, and he was eager to get some answers. As he approached the gate, the same hostile securities met him. Without waiting for them to react, he started shouting.“I need to see the shaman! This is urgent!” Mr. Larkin’s voice boomed, catching the attention of everyone nearby.This was a peaceful neighborhood and noise wasn't appreciated. The guards quickly approached him, pushing him away from the gate. “We told you last time, old man. Get out of here!” one of them snarled, shoving Mr. Larkin backward.But Mr. Larkin stood his ground. “I will not leave until I see the shaman!” He struggled against their grip, making a scene. His persistence paid off when Mrs. Shaman came out from the house, drawn by the commotion. She wondered how that could be. But approaching the gate she couldn't remember or recognize Mr. Larkin’s face.“What is going on here?” she asked,