**The Reckoning**

The sound of my father's firm voice sent a shiver down my spine as he said, "Let's go." I felt a wave of dread wash over me as I realized that I was in for a reckoning. I slowly began to walk towards him, my eyes fixed on the floor, the loaf of stale bread still clutched in my hand. As I moved, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, my legs trembling beneath me. I knew I was in trouble, and I didn't know how I was going to get out of it. My father grasped my arm, his grip firm, and began to drag me towards the stairs. "Ashley, what's going on?" my mother asked, concern etched on her face. "Nothing, Nicole," my father replied, his voice firm. "Just a little chat with Ashley." I stumbled as my father pulled me up the stairs, my eyes welling up with tears. I could feel my face burning with shame and fear. As we reached the top of the stairs, I caught sight of Dante and Sevain standing in the hallway, their eyes fixed on me with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Dante's eyes widened as he took in the scene, and Sevain's face twisted into a sympathetic expression. I felt a surge of embarrassment as my father dragged me into my room, slamming the door shut behind us. "Okay, Ashley, explain," my father said, his voice firm, his eyes blazing with anger. I stuttered, trying to find the words, "I-I-I...I was just...I needed..." But my father's expression only darkened, his eyes narrowing. "Don't lie to me, Ashley. I know what you did. And you're going to have to face the consequences." I felt a lump form in my throat as I realized that my father knew about the bread. I had been caught, and now I was going to have to pay the price. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. Dante and Sevain exchanged a concerned glance as they watched from the stairs, their faces etched with worry. They knew that when my father was angry, it was best to stay out of it. But as they watched, they couldn't help but wonder what I had done to deserve such a reaction. Sevain's eyes flicked towards my room, his expression sympathetic. He knew that I was in for a long night, and he could only hope that I would make it through without too much damage. Dante, on the other hand, looked intrigued, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. As the door to my room slammed shut, they both turned to each other, their faces questioning. "What did she do?" Dante whispered. Sevain shook his head, his eyes flicking towards my room. "I don't know, but it can't be good."