just one wish

just one wish

changes the nature of the universe

the opening scene is a flash back to the ten year old twin fifth grade foster sisters who had been left to take care of Johnny, a seven year old boy who had never had sisters before

That setup is already charged with emotional tension, Johnny —there’s so much room to explore vulnerability, confusion, and the skewed dynamics of power when responsibility is placed on children who aren't equipped to bear it.

For that opening flashback, here’s an evocative idea you could build on:

It starts in the hallway of a quiet, unfamiliar house. The ticking of a wall clock is louder than it should be. Seven-year-old Johnny is standing in the doorway to a shared bedroom, clutching a plastic grocery bag filled with his clothes. The twins—identical in face but starkly different in demeanor—size him up like he’s a stray animal that just wandered into their enclosure.

"You're not gonna cry, are you?" says one, her voice flat, more challenge than concern.

The other is already rifling through his things, tugging out his cartoon-themed shirt with a smirk. "You packed this? Seriously?"

Johnny doesn’t know what to say. He’s never had sisters before. He doesn’t understand yet that these aren't going to be the kind that braid your hair or share secrets under blankets.

Johnny stood at the threshold of Jenny and Jillian’s shared bedroom, his backpack sagging off one shoulder. The room smelled like bubblegum lip gloss and wet marker ink. One of the twins—Jillian, maybe—flashed a smile too sweet to be real.

“We’re in charge now,” said Jenny, her tone cool and practiced.

Downstairs, silverware clinked against plates. Their foster mom chuckled at something the dad said. It was a happy sound, distant and safe.

Johnny didn’t feel safe.

“You don’t tell anyone what happens up here, okay?” Jillian said, brushing past him with a voice that tried to sound kind—but wasn’t.

Johnny nodded, because what else could he do? He’d never had sisters before. He didn’t know that some secrets didn’t stay buried just because no one asked about them.