Emma ran down the street, glancing at her watch every few moments. She was terribly late, but there was nothing she could do about it. She couldn’t catch a taxi, and work had kept her longer than expected.
— It’s okay, — she thought, — I’ll get there eventually. — She reassured herself.
Her phone kept ringing incessantly. When she finally picked up, she heard her friend’s angry shout: — Where are you? The meeting’s already started!
— I’m coming! — With those words, the young woman climbed the steps of the school.
Bursting into the classroom where the parent-teacher meeting was underway, she let out a sigh of relief. Her friend slid a chair toward her and gestured for her to come over. The other parents gave her disapproving looks, as did the homeroom teacher.
— Has it been going on long? — Emma whispered.
— About twenty minutes. You haven’t missed anything major yet. The usual: collecting money for repairs, for security. Basically, another shakedown.
— Am I interrupting? — the homeroom teacher, Margaret Watson, remarked pointedly.
Emma made a zipping motion across her lips. After the meeting, as many parents began to rise and leave, Margaret called Emma over.
— Emma Peterson, I need to speak with you seriously. I didn’t bring this up during the general meeting. I wanted to discuss it privately.
The formal address made Emma uneasy, and her instincts were right.
— Your daughter, Lily, has been acting strangely lately. She comes to class when she feels like it and skips when she doesn’t. She’s gone from an A-student to nearly failing. And a couple of days ago, someone from the store came by. A security guard caught her trying to steal a pack of chips. The most expensive, biggest one. It almost seemed like she wanted to get caught.
— That’s awful.
— I don’t know what’s going on in your family, but my advice is to have a serious talk with your daughter.
Emma thanked the teacher for the information, checked her watch, and left. All the way home, she walked and wondered where she’d gone wrong in raising her daughter.
— Maybe it’s not too late to fix things? — the young woman thought, her heels clicking on the pavement.
Things at home weren’t exactly smooth. Emma’s mother was gravely ill, bedridden most of the time. Lily’s father, Steve, had recently lost his job and was staying home. Emma had to work to support the family. Steve had never been fond of working, and now he’d grown even lazier, spending his days watching TV or playing backgammon with friends. Emma threw herself into her job, working all day and rushing to her mother’s side in the evenings. Raising Lily had fallen to Steve, but since he barely paid attention to her, the girl was left to her own devices most of the time.
Emma sat at the kitchen table, waiting for her daughter. Lily had gone to a friend’s house earlier that day and still hadn’t returned.
— Where are you? — With those words, Emma grabbed her phone and dialed her daughter’s number.
The phone rang with long beeps. No answer. Emma called again. Still nothing. She started calling Lily’s friends, but they hadn’t seen her in two days. Emma glanced at the clock and leaned on her elbow. Just then, she heard the sound of the front door opening.
— Where have you been?
— What, no “Hello, daughter”? How’s it going? What’s new? Or is it not cool to greet your kid anymore?
— Hello. Where were you?
— I was at Nancy’s place, so what? Were you looking for me?
Looking closely at her twelve-year-old daughter, Emma recounted her conversation with the homeroom teacher.
— So the teacher snitched, huh? What a lying jerk. She promised not to tell.
— Lily, watch your language, — Emma scolded. — Care to explain what’s going on?
— Well, I made a bet with some kids that I could sneak out that pack of chips. I did it. They chewed me out, told you, and that’s it. Case closed. Now, can I get something to eat?
Emma didn’t press for details about the bet, only warning Lily not to let it happen again. She fed her daughter and went to talk to her husband. Steve was sitting in front of the TV. Emma told him about the shoplifting and Lily’s behavior.
— I’m begging you, as her father, talk to her. You’re home all day—can’t you keep an eye on her? I’m working and can’t monitor her. You can handle this. Pay attention to what she’s into, what she’s doing. Steve listened quietly, nodding along to her words.
— Alright. I’ll take care of it.
But the parents didn’t realize this was just the tip of the iceberg. That night, after they’d gone to sleep, Lily got dressed, grabbed her leather backpack, and climbed onto the windowsill. She opened the window and looked down. Their apartment was on the first floor of an old building with a low foundation. A whistle sounded.
— Hey, kid, hurry up, we’re waiting for you, — said a young man standing in the shadows, watching her closely. — Need help? — he added, stepping closer.
— Thanks, I’m good. It’s not high. — With that, Lily climbed down.
— Let’s go, quick, — the young man said, offering his hand and a helmet.
His name was Ethan. He knew how to ride a moped, wore a leather jacket, and had curly blond hair. As soon as Lily hopped on, Ethan revved the engine, and they sped off. Soon, they arrived at an abandoned building that used to be a kindergarten. No one knew why it had been left empty.
— We’re here, — Ethan said. Lily jumped off the moped and hurried inside.
Inside, large barrels flickered with tongues of flame. Six other people were there, including Lily’s friend, Mia. Seeing Lily, Mia ran over and hugged her.
— I’m so glad you came, — she said, taking Lily by the hand and leading her to the others. — This is Lily. She wants to join us.
— Does she know what we do here? — asked a red-haired young man, eyeing the newcomer.
— She knows. She passed the test yesterday, — Ethan replied. — That pack of chips was successfully nabbed.
Applause broke out. Lily noticed a young man clapping for her. His name was Victor. He looked about eighteen and, rumor had it, had spent a year in a juvenile detention center for theft. His parents, influential people—his mother a judge, his father a prosecutor—decided to teach him a lesson and didn’t intervene when he got caught. After a year of reform, they brought him home, tasking themselves with monitoring his activities. Inspired by his time in detention, Victor decided to start a computer club. His parents, thrilled that he was turning his life around, helped him set it up. They had no idea the club was a front. Unofficially, Victor ran a secret group for like-minded kids, mostly from troubled families.
Mia’s mother was in prison for killing her stepfather. Mia was raised by her grandparents.
Owen’s father was a heavy drinker who often beat his mother and him.
Julia’s parents were divorced. Her father was a drug addict, and her mother drank frequently.
Sam was abused by his stepfather.
Max’s parents died in a car accident. He was raised by his mother’s sister.
The kids in the club ranged from twelve to fourteen years old. Victor, the oldest, set the rules.
— Alright, since you’ve passed your little initiation, Lily the Machine Gun, come join us. Sam’s about to go over the plan, — Victor said, sizing her up.
Unlike the others, Lily came from a complete family. Though her father wasn’t working, he never laid a hand on her mother. Lily had heard about the club from Mia, who made it sound amazing. Plus, she had a crush on Ethan, which was a big reason she wanted to join.
Sam brought out a bundle, unwrapped it, and spread it on a large concrete slab on the floor. It looked like some kind of blueprint.
As it turned out, the group of underage delinquents was planning to rob a beauty salon. Victor called these jobs “courtesy visits.”
— Tonight, we’re paying a “courtesy visit” to the “Glamour” salon. Take only the valuable stuff—computers, hair clippers. — Victor said, gauging Lily’s reaction.
Lily nodded attentively, her eyes fixed on Ethan.
— Lily and Mia, you’re on stylist duty. Check for cameras, alarms, balcony access, and other details. If you can, snap some photos. We’ll hit this place again soon. We’re building a cushy, happy life for ourselves. — he continued.
— Again? You’ve done this before? — Lily whispered to Mia.
— Yep. We hit four salons this week already. This’ll be the fifth.
Victor kept talking, but Lily was barely listening, caught up in a rush of adrenaline. She just wanted to feel grown-up. It seemed like adults could do anything.
The next day, as planned, Lily and Mia went to the salon after school. They scoped out everything Victor had asked for. He praised their work and told them to prepare for the evening’s “courtesy visit.” That night, Lily went on her first job. The salon had no alarms or cameras. They entered through the balcony on the ground floor. Four kids broke in by smashing a window. There wasn’t much cash in the register, so they took computers and professional clippers.
While Lily and Mia posed for photos in the salon chairs, Sam and Ethan carried out the loot. Victor’s black minivan was parked outside, where they loaded everything.
— Girls, stop messing around. Get out here, or we’re getting left behind! — Sam called, climbing into the van. Victor was at the wheel.
— Everything good, guys? — he asked, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.
— All set.
Lily and Mia were leaving the salon when someone called out.
— Lily! What are you doing here?
The girls turned and saw Lily’s neighbor, a frail, short elderly man holding a leash with a small, shaggy dog.
— Hi! We’re just hanging out. What about you? — Lily said quickly.
— My dog Rusty got loose again, the little troublemaker. Chased him through three streets. Barely caught him! But what’s this? — The old man paused, piecing it together. — Does your mom know?
— Sorry, we gotta go, — Mia said, grabbing Lily’s arm. They hurried to the van.
— Who was that? — Victor asked as the girls jumped in.
— Nobody. Just my neighbor, — Lily mumbled, eyes down.
Victor, Sam, and Ethan exchanged looks. Without a word, they got out of the van and followed the old man.
— What’s gonna happen? — Lily asked, peering into the darkness.
— He saw us. He could snitch. Don’t worry, the guys’ll take care of it, — Mia replied.
— Take care of it how? — Lily pressed against the window, watching.
The boys flanked the old man. One knocked him down. The other started hitting him. The old man fell, covering his face with his hands.
— What are you doing?! Leave him alone! You’ll kill him! — Lily screamed, jumping out of the van.
— You tell anyone about us, you’re done. Got it? — Ethan snarled at the old man.
— Don’t mess with us, — Sam added, kicking Rusty, who’d run to his owner. The dog yelped.
— You’re such an idiot, Lily, — Ethan spat. After a pause, he added, — Keep your mouth shut. Or else… — He mimed slicing his throat with his knife.
— He had a knife. They could’ve killed him, — Lily realized, startled by the sound of screeching tires.
She turned to see the minivan speeding away. Lily rushed to the old man, who was lying on the ground, muttering incoherently. She knelt beside him and gently lifted his head.
— Are you okay?
— I’ll live, — he rasped.
Lily helped him stand and walked him to his apartment, Rusty trailing behind. The old man, named George Harper, lived alone. His wife had passed away long ago, and he had no children. The apartment was tidy but cluttered. A loner, George rarely spoke to anyone, and Rusty was his only companion. He sank into his armchair, clutching his head.
Lily ran to the kitchen, found bandages and antiseptic, and cleaned his wounds.
— How could you get mixed up in this? You’re a child good. Your parents are decent. Those kids aren’t your crowd, — George said suddenly, massaging his temples.
— I just… thought it’d be fun… grown-up. I don’t know what I was thinking.
— Kid, I used to be a schoolteacher. They’re not your equals. One dumb mistake could ruin your whole life.
Lily looked down.
— They’re angry and foolish. They could kill someone.
Lily made George tea, draped a blanket over him, and waited until he fell asleep in his chair before heading home.
The next day, she rushed to check on him. He’d taken a bad beating and could barely walk. Lily helped him up, cleaned his apartment, took Rusty out, and made sure George ate. She felt responsible for him.
— Don’t worry, I’m not mad at you. You’re a good, kind girl. Thanks for everything, — George said gratefully.
Lily blushed, her eyes catching a wooden box on the coffee table by the couch.
— Handmade. A friend gave it to me. He was in prison, been through a lot. It’s got a secret. One day, you’ll find out what, — George said with a chuckle.
From then on, Lily visited George every day. He loved telling her stories about his youth and his wife, while she helped with chores. Slowly, she began to change for the better. Her teachers and family noticed the shift in her attitude.
Two months later, Lily came home to find an ambulance outside. She ran up to the fourth floor and knocked on George’s door.
— Don’t bother. He’s gone, — said a neighbor from across the hall.
— Gone? — Lily couldn’t believe it.
— He got sick this afternoon and passed. — The neighbor paused. — You’re Lily, right?
Lily nodded.
— Come here. He stopped by yesterday, like he knew something was coming. Asked me to look after Rusty and left something for you. — The woman handed Lily the familiar wooden box.
Lily opened it and saw an inscription engraved on the lid: *“Life is a choice. May yours always be the right one!”*
In that moment, Lily understood what choice it meant. She’d nearly made the wrong one.
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