Chapter 5: A Day of Unsettling Changes

The ride back home was filled with an awkward silence that Nick couldn't shake off. He glanced over at Andrew, who was chatting with his mom about everything from the weather to their favorite TV shows. Nick's mom seemed to be enjoying Andrew's company, and he found himself feeling increasingly uneasy about the situation. As they pulled into their driveway, Nick's mom turned to him and said, "Why don't you go get changed, Nick? You can meet us back here in about an hour, and we'll head down to the lake." Nick nodded, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. He wasn't sure he wanted to spend the day with Andrew, but at the same time, he didn't want to be rude. As he walked into the house, he noticed Judd sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the TV. Nick tried to avoid eye contact, but Judd's gaze followed him. "Hey, Judd," Nick said, trying to sound casual. Judd grunted in response, his eyes still fixed on the TV. Nick quickly changed into his swimsuit and grabbed a towel, trying to make a hasty exit. But as he turned to leave, he caught Judd's intense stare. There was something in his brother's eyes that made Nick feel uneasy, a mixture of anger and concern. "What's going on, Judd?" Nick asked, trying to sound calm. Judd turned back to the TV, his expression unreadable. Nick shrugged and headed out the door, feeling a sense of unease wash over him. As he walked back to the driveway, he saw Andrew and his mom loading up the car with towels, sunscreen, and a cooler. Andrew grinned at him and said, "Ready to hit the lake?" Nick nodded, trying to muster up some enthusiasm. The drive to the lake was filled with laughter and chatter, but Nick couldn't shake off the feeling that Judd was watching them from behind. He glanced in the rearview mirror, but there was no sign of his brother. As they arrived at the lake, Nick's mom suggested they set up a picnic lunch while Andrew and Nick went for a swim. Nick agreed, feeling a sense of relief at being able to get in the water and clear his head. As they swam, Andrew tried to engage Nick in conversation, but Nick was evasive, not wanting to open up to him just yet. But as they climbed out of the water, Nick noticed Andrew's eyes scanning the surrounding area, his expression serious. "What's wrong?" Nick asked, following Andrew's gaze. That's when he saw Judd standing at the edge of the woods, his eyes fixed intently on them. Nick felt a shiver run down his spine as he wondered what his brother's intentions were. Was he there to warn them, or to cause trouble? Only time would tell.