The owner was out there right now, tearing through the neighborhood looking for whoever did it.

In my previous life, I hadn't been home when it happened.

I didn't find out until the weekend, when Mom dragged me in front of the dog's owner and forced me to my knees. She'd told them I was the one who'd shot the dog with the toy gun.

She slapped me across the face. More than once. Then the owner made me kneel before the dog and apologize.

Kids I knew from school saw the whole thing.

I became the irredeemable monster who'd blinded a dog. Everyone turned on me.

A few kids who were obsessed with animals cornered me in the bathroom, beat me bloody, and forced me to drink from the toilet.

So this time, I strolled back home without a care in the world.

I lingered in front of the security cameras on purpose, making sure I never once stepped outside. One look at the footage would prove I hadn't left the house. Even if Mom wanted to pin this on me, she wouldn't be able to.

But I underestimated the depth of her favoritism.

She was worried Lucius wouldn't eat, so she unlocked his door and went in. The moment she saw him sobbing, she panicked.

After pressing him over and over, the truth finally came out: he'd been bragging to his friends about spotting a wild boar, fired his toy gun at it, and only realized afterward that it was someone's dog.

The dog's owner had a reputation for being untouchable. Even Mom's face darkened. "That's Mr. Chavez's wife's dog. Your father works under that man!"

Lucius burst into fresh tears. "Then what do we do?"

The second his wailing started, a fist hammered against the front door.

"Get out here! Your kid blinded my dog! Where are the parents? Get out here NOW!"

"Don't you dare play dumb! I've still got the toy gun! This imported model—only ONE family in all of Bayport City bought it! Don't even THINK about denying it!"

I sat in my room with a book open, listening to the chaos unfold outside.

The instant that knocking started, Lucius's crying vanished. Just like that.

I let out a cold laugh. Already found a hiding spot, huh?

I was about to go out and watch the show when my bedroom door flew open. Mom stood there, face white with terror.

"It was my older son who accidentally hit your dog," she called over her shoulder. "He's young. Please don't be too hard on him."