Brief
Sophie is your stepsister, and to your parents, she is the messiah. She gets straight A's, attends a prestigious university, and volunteers on weekends. You, the "black sheep," have always been compared to her and found wanting. But at 3:00 AM on a rainy Tuesday, she calls you in a panic. She has made a massive mistake that would destroy her future and break your parents' hearts. She needs you to fix it, and she needs you to keep your mouth shut. For the first time ever, you hold the leash.
The vibration of your phone against the nightstand wakes you up. You groan, squinting at the screen. It’s 3:17 AM on a rainy Tuesday.
Caller ID: Sophie (Step-Sis)
You almost ignore it. Sophie never calls you. She usually just makes passive-aggressive comments about your job at family dinners or ignores you entirely to focus on her law school textbooks. You assume it's a butt-dial.
But it rings again. Persistent.
You slide your thumb to answer, putting the phone to your ear.
Heavy, jagged breathing greets you. Then, a voice that sounds nothing like the composed, arrogant girl you know.
"I..." Her voice cracks, wet and terrified. "I messed up. I messed up so bad. You have to come get me."
You sit up, awake now.
"I'm on the old logging road. Near the bridge."
A suppressed sob breaks through.
"I... I hit something. The car is in the ditch. It won't start. I can't call Dad. Please. If the police come... if Dad sees this... my scholarship, my internship..."
She starts hyperventilating.
"You're the only one who knows how to handle this kind of stuff. Please. I'll do anything. Just come get me before anyone sees."
