"Randy, please come to the principal's office," the principal's voice announced over the intercom, interrupting the class. An ocean of mocking jeers filled the classroom, courtesy of my classmates whom I ignored.

I didn't expect to be summoned to the principal's office in the middle of class. Still, I gathered my things and made my way out. For the past two weeks, I had been sleepless, waiting for Rudolph to settle on a date for us to go visit Dad.

We had to plan it carefully. We couldn't risk Mom finding out. She'd definitely freak out if she knew what we were up to. Weekends were out of the question since she was always home. She'd sense something was off if we tried to leave. That left only school days.

But we couldn't let the school know either. Rudolph had been working on a believable lie to keep them in the dark. It took him ages to craft something that wouldn't arouse suspicion and risk them telling Mom.

This morning, I could tell he was ready. But he hadn't given me any specifics on when or how it would happen. Just thinking about it made me feel disconnected from anything. And now this call to the principal's office.

I wished he had shared a few more details with me. I didn't know if seeing Dad after so long caused me more anxiety, or the fact that I had no idea where he was, or when our meeting would happen.

Damn you, Rudolph! If you knew you had a brother with problems, why make him suffer with so much uncertainty?

I bet he secretly enjoys this.

As I reached the principal's office, I knocked, and heard a "come in," so I entered the open door. Inside, I found Rudolph, along with the principal, of course. It surprised me a little to find him there. He was not sitting, but standing, and resting one arm on the back of the elegant chair in front of the director's desk. He clearly had everything under control.

"Oh Randy, your brother already informed me of the urgency of your medical appointment. Please don't worry about dismissing classes today. Let me know if you need help keeping up," the principal said reassuringly.

"Uhh..."

"Ehem," Rud cleared his throat, signaling for me to follow the act.

"Uh, right, thank you," I muttered, faking a cough.

"See you later, Mr. Matheson," she said to Rudolph, acknowledging his last name, then she addressed me shortly, "Randy," and so she dismissed us. I left the office with my brother.

At the entrance, outside of the building, I spotted the car-not his, but Agathe's. Even though he had a license, he rarely used it, preferring our aunt's car whenever necessary. And he only asked for it in dire situations.

"I guess this counts as a dire situation," I think out loud, to which he nods.

"Ya ready for your medical appointment?" he asks, winking.

"Ready," I reply, trying not to sound eager at all and following him into the car.

I hate to admit it, but he infects me. The simple fact of being taken out of class is enough to instantly improve my mood.

"All that time thinking just to come up with that plan?" I teased, a smirk playing on my lips as I buckled up in the passenger's seat.

"It's the work of a mastermind. I work in a laboratory, in case you've forgotten. And I don't think it's legal for you to sit in the front," he shot back, a hint of playful defiance in his tone.

"What does it matter? They won't stop us for that," I retorted, brushing off his fact-dumping with a roll of my eyes.

"It's already enough to commit just one crime," he shrugged.

"I'm not going to sit in the back," I insisted.

"Alright, suit yourself," he said with a shrug, conceding to my stubbornness.

He revved the engine, the sound roaring to life like a beast awakened from slumber, sending a surge of excitement coursing through me. The vibrations seemed to echo the pounding of my heart, a rhythmic melody of anticipation as we prepared to embark on our forbidden adventure.

As we sped away from the school, the tension that had been building within me began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of exhilaration. I couldn't help but grin as Rudolph glanced over at me, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"You're crazy, you know that?" I said, shaking my head. "Making me skip school to go see Dad? Mom's going to kill us for sure."

And that was not an understatement. If she'd figure out what we had planned she wouldn't take it easy. I can tell. I wouldn't ever dare tell her anything because of that. I know this is not the right thing to do either, but she's left no other choice. "Oh right, what did you tell her?" I asked.

Rudolph grinned, his confidence unwavering. "I told her the same- that you were feeling unwell for the past few days," he explained, "said you needed to see a doctor urgently for a medical check-up."

I couldn't help but laugh at his audacity, grasping the fact that he had been able to persuade her enough as he needed it now. "You're unbelievable," I said, "but will that be enough?"

"Of course," he replied, "let's not think more about that, alright?"

"Alright."

Despite our differences and the fact that we hadn't been speaking much lately, I couldn't deny the bond that existed between us. Rudolph had always been there for me, never failing to keep his promises no matter the cost. In that moment, as he drove us away from everything, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and security. For once, I allowed myself to let go of worry and just enjoy the moment, basking in the rare feeling of being truly cared for by my older brother.

⎯⎯⎯✧࿓☾⎯⎯⎯

Eventually, we arrived at our destination, leaving behind the city's suburbs after a lengthy drive. Before us stood a massive building, its gray walls and small windows ensconced within thick cement architecture, presenting an almost impregnable facade. Rudolph's confident demeanor waned as he parked, replaced by a somber expression.

"Randy," he began as we prepared to exit, "you have to know that our father is not well in the mind."

His explanation felt like he'd been really caring for his use of words. Why tell me that now? I don't know. But I already suspected it.

Rud always shielded me from harsh truths, just like Mom. But, unlike her, he recognized their importance to me and eventually told me about them. He knew their importance to me. So, I listened calmly as he spoke.

"He's been here for years, since... things went wrong."

I swallowed hard, this was the reality.

"He always had problems, but he had never been so perturbed before, or so Lea said. What you see may not be what you expect, just try to understand him."

"Alright."

"Okay," he sighed and finally we got out of the car.

Taking a deep breath, I gathered my resolution and followed Rudolph as he led the way into the institution. The air inside was thick with antiseptic scent and despair, echoing distant cries hauntingly through the corridors. He gave certain details to a lady at the reception who later guided us to a visit room. The room divided by a large wall of glass.

After a while of uncanny silence, he appeared. Accompanied by a nurse probably.

He seemed quite surprised as he walked towards his chair in front of us.

"They are... they are..." he muttered.

"Yes, they're your sons, Seth. Please behave," the nurse instructed him, turning to us. "We could arrange for a guard or a nurse to accompany us."

"We'll manage, thank you," Rudolph replied, and bothe the attendants left, leaving us alone with our father.