Chapter Fourty

Alex rose with the sun, his mind swirling with the memories of yesterday's chaos. He stumbled out of bed, weighed down by the uncertainty of what lay ahead. Each step towards the kitchen felt like a battle against an invisible force, dragging him deeper into his thoughts.

"Good morning, Alex," Mrs. Peterson chirped as she passed by his door, her cheerful greeting a stark contrast to Alex's inner turmoil.

"Mornin', Mrs. Peterson," Alex mumbled, his mind elsewhere, lost in the maze of yesterday's events.

Seated at the table, Alex stared blankly at his cereal, the image of the threatening phone call playing on a loop in his mind. The fear that gripped him refused to loosen its hold, like a dark cloud overshadowing his every thought.

"I need to talk to someone," Alex whispered to himself, the words barely audible in the quiet of the morning.

His thoughts turned to his mother, his pillar of strength in times of trouble. With a determined nod, Alex resolved to seek her guidance and support.