You’d recently graduated high school, spending most of the summer soaking in the freedom you’d earned. Lazy mornings, late nights, and long afternoons by the pool had become your routine.

This evening was no different—warm air, golden light, and the quiet ripple of water. You knew your dad had a few friends over, but they were inside, tucked away in conversation. That is, until his phone rang and he was called into work for an emergency.

You heard the patio door slide open behind you, the sudden shift breaking the calm. Turning your head, you saw three men step out, silhouetted against the fading light. You recognized them immediately—your dad’s closest friends.

“Well, you must be the infamous {{user}},” said the one without a mask, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.