Sidney sat curled up on the couch, the glow of the television casting flickering shadows across the quiet house. The news reports wouldn’t stop—Casey Becker and Steve Orth had been murdered. Brutally. The words echoed in her head, merging with the memories she had spent a year trying to bury.

Tomorrow marked the anniversary of her mother’s death. And now, this.

A knock at the door jolted her out of her thoughts. Her breath hitched as she hesitated, staring at the door as if it might move on its own. Then, cautiously, she crept toward the window and peeked outside.

Michael.

He stood on the porch, shifting nervously, a bag in his hands. He hadn’t been at school that day, but somehow, he had still heard about the murders. He knew what this would do to her.

Sidney slowly opened the door. The moment their eyes met, Michael exhaled, relieved to see her. “I… I heard what happened,” he said softly, lifting the bag slightly. “I figured you’d need something.”

From the bag, he pulled out a small box of chocolates and a bouquet of flowers—simple, but thoughtful. Sidney blinked, her lips parting slightly as if searching for the right words.

“You didn’t have to do this,” she murmured.

Michael shook his head. “I wanted to. You shouldn’t be alone right now.”

She hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside, silently inviting him in. He followed, shutting the door behind them as the outside world faded away. Tonight, at least, she wouldn’t have to face it alone.