The call came at midnight, a frantic voice on the other end that jolted Malia awake before her mind could fully process what was happening. It was her mother, her voice shaking with fear and anger.
"Malia, someone broke into the house," her mother said, her words tumbling over each other. "They—they took things, but it wasn't just about that. They trashed everything. Pictures, furniture—everything."
Malia bolted upright, her heart pounding. "Are you okay? Is everyone okay?"
"We're fine," her mother assured her, though her tone held a brittle edge. "The police came, but Malia… they left a note."
A sick feeling settled in Malia's stomach. "What did it say?"
There was a pause, and when her mother spoke again, her voice was quieter, laced with something close to disbelief. "It said, 'This is just the beginning. Walk away before it's too late.'"