Nora frowned. She had never heard of such a thing before, but she could feel it—something was influencing her. A strange, invisible force was beginning to creep into her life.

  “I don’t know… but I’m kind of scared,” she murmured.

  Alex waved a hand and gave a breezy laugh. “Scared? Come on, this is awesome! You’ve been chosen by a dream-fox!”

  Nora didn’t answer. She was still lost in her thoughts, until another issue hit her—one that instantly darkened her expression.

  “And… my mom. She’s going to take away my phone and laptop. Just because I didn’t get straight A’s on Friday.”

  Alex’s eyes widened. “What? She’s really going to do that? That’s so unfair!”

  Nora gave a bitter smile. “So yeah… I really don’t have the energy to deal with Lucas right now. My brain’s a mess.”

  Alex studied her for a moment, then smirked. “So… do you like Lucas?”

  Nora hesitated, her brow furrowed. After a pause, she sighed. “I don’t know…”

  Alex grinned and patted her shoulder. “It’s okay. Forget about it for now. Let’s relax this weekend, blast our favorite music.”

  Nora finally managed a faint smile. “Yeah… that sounds good.”

  —

  That evening, Nora’s mother, Elaine, had just gotten off work and was tidying the house. Her long hair was pinned up high so no loose strands could fall into her eyes. She’d been managing household chores since she was a child, and her motions were sharp and efficient. Every corner of the home was spotless, just like always.

  With all the other rooms cleaned, she finally stood in front of her daughter’s bedroom door. One hand rested on the doorknob, hesitant.

  She knew Nora didn’t like her entering without permission.But she was her mother.Wasn’t she entitled to check on things?

  After a deep breath, she pushed the door open.

  A faint lemony scent drifted through the room.A few textbooks lay scattered across the floor.The bed was unmade, sheets and blankets in a twist.Snack wrappers dotted the room in random places.Curtains were half-drawn, letting in streaks of sunlight that glinted off a half-full glass on the desk.

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Elaine’s eyes scanned the room.On the nightstand sat the little fox figurine.Unmoved from its spot, just as it had been for years.

  It was such a childish thing—and yet, it reminded her that Nora was still just a kid.

  She sighed, bent down, and began gathering papers and trash.

  As she crouched to wipe under the bed, a small flicker of light flashed.

  She blinked.An illusion?

  She leaned in, but the glow had vanished.Instead, she noticed something lying on the floor beneath the bed.

  It was the fox figurine.

  Her brows furrowed.She glanced back at the nightstand.That’s odd…Hadn’t it just been there?

  She picked it up.Her fingertips brushed the plush surface, feeling a light layer of dust.

  And suddenly—a flood of memories surged through her.

  She remembered little Nora at four years old, hugging that fox and sitting on the carpet, laughing like an angel.She had been so sweet then, so clingy.Always looking up at her with those sparkling eyes and asking,“Mommy, am I your favorite person?”

  Elaine gently wiped the dust away.A smile tugged at her lips.

  But it didn’t last long.

  Her gaze drifted around the room.Posters lined the walls.Photos sat on the desk.

  She noticed something missing.

  There were no photos of her.

  Elaine closed her eyes.It felt like something inside her cracked.

  She had once believed she could be her daughter’s everything—fill the gap left by her father’s absence.She told herself Nora would understand one day…Understand how much she had sacrificed.How much she cared.

  She opened her eyes.Her lips trembled slightly.

  She had always pushed Nora to try harder, to be better.Because Nora was not abandoned.She was her biological child.

  And Elaine firmly believed—only abandoned children grow up incomplete.But Nora…Nora would live the life she never could.

  Her heart steeled with resolve again.

  Then—a sound.

  The front door lock clicked.Nora was home.

  Elaine quickly placed the fox back on the nightstand, smoothed her blouse, and moved toward the exit.

  Too late.

  The door swung open.

  Nora stood in the doorway, backpack still on.She froze.

  Her gaze met her mother’s, and her expression immediately hardened.

  “What are you doing in my room again?”

  Elaine’s fingers twitched.Her fists clenched—then relaxed.She forced her voice into calm.

  “I’m your mother.Why can’t I come into your room?”

  “We talked about this!You promised you wouldn’t come in here again!”

  Nora’s voice was sharp, indignant.

  Elaine didn’t respond.She knew Nora had made that boundary clear countless times.This room was her sanctuary.

  She drew in a breath, trying to deflect the conversation.

  “By the way, Nora—I got an email from your teacher.You failed two subjects.”

  Nora’s expression darkened.

  She stepped into the room.

  A second later—

  BANG!

  The door slammed shut in Elaine’s face.

  Click.The lock snapped into place.

  She was left standing outside, alone.