The faint morning light barely pierced through the blinds as I stretched, still half-asleep. "Dan, have you seen my wrist watch?" I called out, my voice thick with morning rasp. I scanned the room, then the dresser, then under the bed. Nothing. A familiar frustration began to bubble. My brother, Dan, had a knack for 'borrowing' my things without permission, often with disastrous results. Last month, it was my library book, returned ruined. Before that, my smartphone, mysteriously sold.

Now, my watch. Of course. Every time I confronted him, his answer was the same: a quick, arrogant "No."

"I really saw him taking it," my sister, Reen, whispered, appearing in my doorway. Reen knew Dan better than anyone; they often bickered like strangers, despite being family. I didn't have time for this, though. I had plans. Football with Ben, Joe, and Slim.