and the mattress was almost thrown out of place. All over his body were scratches and bruises that had yet to heal.
She looked around, frowning, trying to remember if anything had happened last night-but her head felt heavy. Before she could fully gather her senses, the door to her room opened.
Mom walked in, her face turning into a panic as soon as she saw the state of her son.
"Astaghfirullah... Liam, what happened?! You're hurt too!" she exclaimed as she quickly approached.
Liam sat up slowly, enduring the pain. "Liam was also confused, Mom... when he woke up, it was like this."
Without thinking, Mom shouted for Dad. "Dad! Dad, go to Liam's room! It looks like there was a burglar last night!"
A few seconds later, Dad came rushing in, but unlike Mom, his face showed no panic. He looked at the wounds on Liam's body and the condition of the room, then let out a long sigh.
"Mom, there's no need to make a fuss. Help tidy up the room, call Hiyana too. Liam, come with me. Let's clean your wounds first."
Liam obeyed, while Mom nodded and started tidying up the room with the help of Hiyana who arrived shortly after, still in her nightclothes.
In the dining room, Dad carefully cleaned Liam's wounds. While applying antiseptic, he asked quietly but firmly.
"Do you have something to hide? New powers again?"
Liam didn't answer right away. His eyes stared at the table, blank, full of indecision. Finally he nodded slowly.
Dad took a breath, then looked at Liam with sincerity.
"I know this is hard for you, son. But remember, the three of us never felt you were a burden. In fact, you are a gift to this family. You are... the embodiment of a miracle."
The words hit Liam's heart gently, breaking down his emotional defenses. He could no longer hold back the tears that began to fall silently. Dad rubbed his shoulders warmly, then pulled him into a hug.
"We face this together. Don't ever feel like you have to be alone."
"I'm sorry, Father... I'm sorry to be a bother," she murmured softly.
Father smiled, and pulled out a pair of black cufflinks and gloves from the drawer.
"I know your body can recover in a day. But these gloves are important. The fabric can dampen your power... at least when you're unconscious or losing control."
Liam stared at the object with an astonished expression. "This cloth... where did you get it?"
But Father just smiled faintly, not answering. Instead, he continued with something else-more serious.
"Liam, at your age now... it's about time you knew about the family finances."
He handed Liam an account card and passbook. "If Mom and Dad have to go out of town one day, you'll be in charge of everything. Please also... take care of Hiyana."
Liam nodded. His eyes were serious again, this time with a more obvious sense of responsibility.
"Okay, Dad... Liam will try. But... let me know when you're leaving, okay?"
Dad chuckled. "Of course. I just don't want to bother you because you're not ready."
After being bandaged and given a message from Dad, Liam retreated to his room for a while. He contemplated, staring at the black glove now wrapped around his left hand. The pain in his body still lingered, but his mind was calmer. He then took his ablutions, and performed the Fajr prayer in solemn silence. A simple serenity that nothing else could offer.