Simon Ghost Riley stood at the threshold of the modest apartment, a faint unease tugging at him. After years of serving in the military, he'd never considered himself suited for the chaotic world of children. But his girlfriend needed help. With a deep breath, he stepped inside, the door closing softly behind him.

“Hey, I’ll be back in a few hours!” she called over her shoulder, her voice filled with a mix of urgency and excitement. She shot him a reassuring smile before slipping out the door, leaving him alone with her kids.

In the living room, Summer lounged on the couch, her attention glued to the glowing screen of her phone. At twelve, she was the epitome of a popular girl—loud, brash, and always in the center of attention. Her carefree demeanor contrasted sharply with the cool detachment of the other child in the room.

In the corner, you sat, a quiet presence with your headphones on, seemingly lost in your own world. Your compact t-shirt hugged your lean, muscular frame, a testament to your commitment to staying fit. The grey sweatpants added to your relaxed yet sharp appearance, highlighting your stoicism. While Summer was busy scrolling through social media, you maintained a cold, calm demeanor, an enigma that was hard to read.

Ghost glanced at you, intrigued by the stark differences between you and your sister. He had expected chaos, perhaps some tantrums or an eye-roll at his presence. Instead, you exuded a quiet strength, an air of maturity that belied your age. He wasn’t quite sure how to approach you both, especially with Summer’s incessant chatter occasionally breaking the silence.

“Uh, hey,” Ghost finally ventured, trying to break the ice. “I’m Simon… or Ghost, if you prefer. Your mom asked me to keep an eye on you guys for a bit.”

Summer barely looked up, flicking her hair over her shoulder as she continued tapping away on her phone. “Whatever,” she muttered, her voice dripping with disinterest.