382: CAUGHT IN BED

The groan of the old floorboards announced Luke's descent. He'd been expecting the usual pre-bedtime chatter—the sound of his little adventurer recounting the day's discoveries. Instead, a choked sob shattered the silence. Hurriedly, he navigated the darkened hallway, his heart thudding a frantic rhythm against his ribs. He found Emerald, a crumpled figure on the plush rug in her room, tears glistening on her flushed cheeks. "Emerald, what's wrong?" Luke kneeled beside her, his voice thick with concern. Her lower lip trembled, a tear tracing a glistening path down her chin. For a moment, there was only the ragged sound of her sniffles. Finally, in a voice barely above a whisper, she choked out, "I... I took something that wasn't mine." Luke's brow furrowed. He wasn't naive. He knew children explored the boundaries of right and wrong. But stealing? It was a harsh accusation, even for his overactive imagination. "What do you mean, sweetheart?" Taking a shuddering breath, Emerald blu