Chapter 2: The Shadows Deepen

The rest of the morning passed in an uneasy silence, with Henry and Peter eating their cereal in stony quiet. The tension between them was palpable, and the air seemed to vibrate with unspoken words. Peter couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking on eggshells around his brother, never knowing when Henry's mood might shift. As they finished up, their mother, Margaret, bustled into the kitchen, her bright smile a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere. "Good morning, boys! Big day today, isn't it?" She beamed at Henry, but he just grunted in response, his eyes fixed on his cereal. Peter watched as his mother's smile faltered, her eyes darting to Henry's face before quickly looking away. She knew something was wrong, Peter was sure of it. But like him, she seemed powerless to do anything about it. As they cleared the table, Peter caught his mother's eye, trying to convey a message without saying a word. She nodded almost imperceptibly, and Peter knew she was on his side. The rest of the morning was a blur of routine tasks: getting ready for school, grabbing backpacks, and heading out the door. As they walked to school, Peter fell into step beside Henry, trying to think of a way to broach the subject again. The streets were quiet, with only a few early risers out and about. The sun was climbing higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the pavement. Peter felt a shiver run down his spine as he glanced at Henry's profile. His brother's eyes seemed to be gazing into a different world, one that Peter couldn't see. As they approached the school, Peter spotted Ralph waiting by the entrance. He was a tall, lanky boy with a mop of messy brown hair and a perpetual grin. Peter had always liked Ralph, but lately, he'd begun to wonder if Ralph knew more about Henry's situation than he was letting on. "Hey, guys," Ralph said, falling into step beside them. "What's up?" Henry just grunted, but Ralph didn't seem to notice. "I'm heading to the library to work on that project," he said, his eyes locked on Peter. "Want to join me, Pete?" Peter hesitated, unsure if he should leave Henry's side. But something about Ralph's expression told him that this might be an opportunity to get some answers. "Yeah, sure," Peter said, nodding. "I'll meet you there in a bit, Ralph. I've got to talk to Mrs. Jenkins about my math homework." Ralph nodded and took off, leaving Peter and Henry standing alone. "Hey, Hen?" Peter said, his voice low. "Can I ask you something?" Henry's eyes snapped to his, a flicker of wariness in their depths. "What is it, Pete?" Peter took a deep breath. "Is everything okay at home? I mean, with Mom and Dad?" For a moment, Henry's face seemed to freeze, his eyes locked on Peter's. Then, in a flash, his expression changed, and he was smiling, albeit weakly. "Of course, Pete. Everything's fine. Why wouldn't it be?" Peter's doubts were far from assuaged, but he knew he had to tread carefully. He nodded, trying to play it cool. "No reason, I just... I care about you, that's all." Henry's smile softened, and for an instant, Peter saw a glimmer of the brother he used to know. But then, the mask slipped back into place, and Henry was once again distant and guarded. As they parted ways, Peter couldn't shake the feeling that he was staring into the abyss, with no safety net to catch him if he fell. The shadows surrounding his brother seemed to be deepening, and Peter was determined to uncover the truth, no matter what secrets he might uncover.