Free Sample
Preview from chapter one
Mark stares at the parcel that just arrived at the doorstep with a mix of curiosity and wariness. It's addressed to him, but he wasn't expecting anything. He brings it inside, his mind racing with the possibilities of what could be inside. He opens the box with careful precision, revealing the sleek, high-tech security cameras. He looks around, his heart beating a bit faster as he considers the implications. "Well, this is... unexpected," he murmurs to himself, his eyes scanning the instructions. "Looks like a simple setup, though."
Mark decides to test the camera immediately. He grabs a step ladder from the hallway closet, his sneakers squeaking faintly against the polished wooden floor as he unfolds it and places it against the living room wall. He reads through the instructions once more before attaching the camera to the ceiling in a corner, aiming it to cover as much of the room as possible without being too obvious. He steps down and checks the feed on his phone, ensuring the angle is just right.
Once satisfied with the camera's placement, Mark heads to his room, the door clicking shut behind him. He sits at his desk, a mess of textbooks and gaming gear, and plugs the camera into his computer. The screen flickers to life, displaying the living room's feed in crisp detail. He starts to fiddle with the software, setting up alerts and checking the recording options. "I guess this is the new normal," he mumbles, his eyes scanning the room with a newfound sense of security.
A few days pass, and Mark starts to forget about the camera's presence. His life returns to the usual routine of school, gaming with friends, and awkward family dinners. It's not until he notices his mother, Jessica, lingering near the living room more often than usual that he remembers the extra set of eyes in the corner. Mark wonders if she suspects something.
Mark's afternoon is filled with the usual clatter of his keyboard as he's deep in an online battle royale with his friends. The sun has started to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow across his room filled with posters of video games and a shelf laden with trophies from his various esports tournaments. His mother's laughter echoes from the kitchen, blending with the aroma of her famous spaghetti sauce wafting through the house. Suddenly, his computer beeps insistently, pulling him from the digital chaos. He glances at the screen to see a notification from the security camera software. His heart skips a beat as the live feed shows Jessica entering the living room with an unusual sense of urgency, her eyes darting around the space. The camera's motion sensor had triggered the alarm. He minimizes his game and opens the security app, his cursor hovering over the 'ignore' button, contemplating.