Dinner

As Sarah suggested setting the table for dinner, Emily's gaze drifted back to the hallway, her eyes lingering on the spot where their mother had disappeared. She felt a pang of concern, wondering if her mother was okay, but Sarah's voice brought her back to the present. "I'll get the plates," Sarah said, already heading towards the kitchen. Emily nodded, her eyes still fixed on the hallway, before slowly getting up from the couch.

She walked towards the dining table, her feet making soft creaking sounds on the floor. The room seemed quieter than usual, the only sound being the soft hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen.

As Emily walked towards the dining table, her eyes drifted back to the hallway, her mind still reeling from the bizarre events that had just transpired. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that Ms. Thompson's presence had somehow disrupted the natural order of things. She set the silverware on the table, her movements mechanical, as her thoughts whirled with questions.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Sarah was busily setting out the plates and glasses. She seemed to be in a daze, her eyes fixed on some point in front of her as she worked. Emily watched her sister for a moment, wondering if she was okay.

Sarah's hands froze mid-air as she heard Ms. Thompson's words. She turned to look at her, her eyes wide with shock. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Ms. Thompson looked at Sarah with a stern expression. "Your mother had an accident, and she needs to be disciplined for it," she said, her voice firm.

Emily, who had just entered the kitchen with the silverware, dropped it on the table with a loud clatter. "What do you mean, 'disciplined'?" she asked, her voice filled with fear.

Ms. Thompson's expression remained stern, her eyes fixed on Emily as she began to explain. "Your mother's accident was not just an unfortunate event, but a sign of her lack of control," she said, her voice firm but measured. "She needs to learn to manage her body and her emotions, and I am here to help her do that." Emily's eyes widened in alarm as Ms. Thompson's words hung in the air, her mind racing with questions and fears.

Sarah, who had been frozen in shock, suddenly spoke up, her voice trembling. "But what kind of discipline?" she asked, her eyes darting between Ms. Thompson and Emily.

Ms. Thompson's gaze shifted to Sarah, her eyes narrowing slightly as she spoke. "No more questions, little girl," she said, her voice firm but controlled. The air in the kitchen seemed to thicken, the tension palpable as Emily and Sarah exchanged a nervous glance. Sarah's eyes dropped, her shoulders slumping slightly as she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, Ms. Thompson."

The sound of the refrigerator humming in the background seemed to grow louder, the only sound breaking the silence that followed. Emily's eyes remained fixed on Ms. Thompson, her mind racing with questions and fears.