I halted at the sight of my parents sitting in the living room. Their eyes were on me, like they'd been waiting for me. I looked from my father to my mother to my father slowly, trying to discern what the matter could be. “What's the matter?"

My father blinked. “I guess I expected you to come in with a bullet in your shoulder or something". He relaxed back in his chair and crossed his legs.

“A bullet in my shoulder?" I exclaimed, alarmed.

“Your mother's had a bad feeling all day. And you've been disappearing to God-knows-where. It's hardly surprising".

I shrugged, relaxing. I collapsed into another couch, aware...