As the first light of dawn crept into the sky, Elysia stirred awake. The news from the night before, about a death in their neighborhood, hit her like a cold shower. She waspletely on edge when Elliot mentioned that at the time of the incident, Evan and Tarquin were at the scene. The mere thought sent shivers down her spine.


    "Where''s Evan now? Is he okay? Did it scare him?" she asked, her voiceced with concern.


    "He''s over at Blossom''s house. Mom knows about it. Evan''s got nerves of steel; he wasn''t scared," Elliot hurried to reassure her.


    Taking a few deep breaths, Elysia''s frown deepened as she probed further, "Why were Evan and Tarquin together in the first ce? What on earth were they doing at Future Community sote at night?"


    Knowing they couldn''t hide the truth, the kids had agreed on a story the night before. Elliot repeated the carefully chosen words, "Mom had a bit too much to drinkst night and needed to stay over. Evan isn''t too fond of step-dad, wanted toe home. Step-dad, worried for his safety, escorted him back. Once home, they heard noises from the neighbor''s, went to check it out, and identally witnessed someone fall from the building. Security called the cops, and since step-dad was at the scene, he got taken in for questioning."


    Elysia was shocked, "The police think Tarquin did it?"


    "Just suspicion."


    Worry etched on her face, she pondered, "What if they can''t find evidence to clear his name? He''ll be branded a murderer!"


    Elliot challenged, "Are you worried about him?"


    Speaking her truth, Elysia admitted, "I may not like him, but I don''t want him to be in trouble. After all, he''s been a father to Elijah for years; he deserves some credit. Besides, if he''s being wrongfully used, that''d be just tragic."


    "Right, Mom. The cops are really good at their job; they''ll figure out the truth."


    Her concern didn''t wane as she turned to Elijah, her heart aching at the sight of his evidentck of sleep. She pulled him into aforting embrace, "Don''t worry, Elijah. Like Elliot said, the police are on top of things. They''ll get to the bottom of this."


    Elijah, moved by his mother''s concern for Tarquin and troubled by the gravity of the situation, fought back tears.


    ...


    Returning to Future Community over half an hourter, Elysia''s eyes immediately sought out Evan. Rushing to him, she enveloped him in a hug, "Evan, did it scare you? I''m so sorry I wasn''t here."


    Despite knowing Evan to be brave, she couldn''t help but worry. To her, Evan was just a typically mischievous boy, not someone ustomed to dealing with life and death situations.


    Evan quickly reassured her, "Mom, don''t worry. I''m not scared at all."


    Choking up, Elysia med herself, "It''s all my fault. If I hadn''t stayed outst night, none of this would have happened."


    Evan tried tofort her, "You can''t me yourself, Mom. These things happen. If I''d known, I would''ve just stayed over at Elijah''s and note back."


    "Let''s sleep together for the next few nights. You won''t be scared that way," she offered.


    "Okay."


    After ensuring they had both calmed down, they felt reassured. Hearing that Blossom had fainted upon discovering the body, Elysia rushed to check on her after Axel had left.


    In their rooms, the kids convened to discuss Tarquin''s predicament. Elliot, with a worried frown, noted, "It''s been hours, and they haven''t released Tarquin. It doesn''t look good. I think someone''s framing him."


    Elijah clenched his fists, anger seeping through, "Someone''s trying to pin this on Dad, using it against him!"


    Evan, visibly anxious, added, "What do we do? He didn''t do it, but if they make him take the fall, he''ll be marked for life!"