ch14:mystery

The sun peeked through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over the breakfast table. Ali's family gathered around, the familiar smell of eggs and toast filling the air. Laughter echoed as they recounted funny stories from the previous day. Ahmed was trying to share a tale about his adventures at boarding school, but Fatima kept interrupting with exaggerated reactions, making everyone burst into giggles.

"Seriously, Ahmed, did you really think a squirrel could steal your sandwich?" Ali teased, a grin plastered across his face.

"Hey, it was a bold squirrel!" Ahmed shot back, defending his honor. "It came right up to me!"

Their mother chimed in, "You boys and your stories! Just make sure Nida gets to school on time today. No more drama, alright?"

Nida, sitting at the edge of the table, rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't worry, Mom. I promise I won't miss the bus again. Right, Ali?"

"Right!" Ali replied with a mock-serious nod. "No more squirrel distractions today."

After breakfast, they piled into the car for the ride to school. Nida, bouncing with energy, turned on her favorite playlist, filling the car with upbeat music. They sang along, creating a mini concert as they navigated the morning traffic.

When they reached the school gate, Nida jumped out of the car, her backpack bouncing against her back. Just before entering, she dashed back, wrapping her arms around Ali. "You're the best brother ever!" she exclaimed, beaming.

Ali chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Don't forget it!"

As she ran off toward the school, Ali's heart swelled with pride. He watched her until she disappeared into the crowd of students. Then, with a yawn, he headed home, ready to catch a few hours of sleep before the chaos of the day began.

A few hours later, Ali woke up with a lingering sense of unease. The vivid images from his earlier dream—chaos and bloodshed—still haunted him, casting a shadow over the sunny morning. Shaking off the feeling, he reminded himself it was just a nightmare. He made his way downstairs, trying to focus on the normalcy of his surroundings.

Meanwhile, in her classroom, Nida sat with her friends, Sarah and Areeba, sharing jokes and stories. Nida had a knack for making the mundane seem hilarious. She demonstrated a goofy dance move when the teacher turned to write on the board, causing Sarah to laugh so hard she nearly snorted.

"Okay, okay! You have to stop," Areeba said, wiping tears from her eyes. "I can't breathe!"

The school day rolled on, filled with the usual banter and laughter. They navigated through math, science, and history, each period blending into a humorous adventure. During lunch, Nida and her friends plotted a prank involving a whoopee cushion, but before they could execute it, the principal announced an emergency assembly.

As they filed into the auditorium, Nida felt a strange unease in the air. Something was off, but she brushed it aside, focusing instead on chatting with her friends.

Suddenly, the doors burst open, and a group of masked men stormed in, brandishing weapons. Panic erupted, students screaming and rushing for the exits. Nida's heart raced as she quickly assessed the situation. "We have to stay calm!" she shouted to her friends, grabbing their hands. "Follow me!"

They ducked behind the stage, the chaos surrounding them. Nida knew she had to act fast. "Areeba, we need to get in touch with Ali!"

With shaky hands, she used her phone to text Areeba's brother, telling him everything she could while trying to keep her voice steady. "Ali, we're in trouble. Please come!"

As they planned their escape, the sound of shouting and gunfire echoed from the auditorium. Nida felt a surge of determination. "We can't just hide here. We need to help everyone!"

With her friends by her side, she devised a plan. They quietly made their way to the nearest exit, but as they approached, a loud explosion rocked the building, shaking the walls and sending debris raining down around them.

Nida's heart pounded in her chest. "We need to move, now!"

Back at home, Ali stood frozen, the ominous feeling in his gut intensifying as he stared at the television. The news anchor's voice blared, cutting through the normalcy he had hoped to return to. "Breaking news from a local school. An armed attack has taken place, and the situation is developing."

His heart raced as he thought of Nida. He grabbed his phone, frantically trying to reach her, but the calls wouldn't connect.

"Ali!" his mother shouted from the other room, concern lacing her voice. "What's happening?"

"I need to go to the school!" Ali exclaimed, urgency flooding his words. "Nida's there!"

With a determined expression, Ali rushed out the door, dread settling over him as he sprinted towards the school. The sound of chaos echoed in his mind, blending with his dream—a nightmare that was now terrifyingly real.