My Eight Brothers Gave Me a Scary Toy as a Joke… Wait, It Actually Saved Me Chapter 08
Years later. April Fools‘ Day again.
The new Fearless Foundry headquarters opened in south Bellhaven.
The glass building wasn’t tall, but light poured through every wall.
Nothing jumped out at you on the first floor. No sudden sounds, no screams.
Every interactive station had a pause button right beside it,
soft cushions underneath, and a bright, visible exit.
One line was painted across the wall.
May every child who has ever been afraid grow up safe.
had written those words myself.
That morning. I’d just wrapped a nonprofit press briefing.
Fearless Foundry had expanded into twenty–seven schools,
nine hospitals, and a handful of children’s mental health nonprofits.
The fear my family had mocked was the thing that brought me back
And now it was something I could give to other people too.
After the event, the front desk called.
“Miss Prescott, there’s someone here for you.”
I walked to the reception area.
All eight of them were standing there.
The second they saw me, every one of them looked like they were about to break.
Graham’s voice was wrecked.
Tessa, we know we were wrong.”
I looked at him. Said nothing.
He swallowed hard, like the next words cost him everything.
We won’t scare you this April Fools‘ Day.”
We’ll never scare you again.”
Can you…. come home?”
Home.
Coming from him, the word meant nothing.
Nolan stepped forward, barely holding it together.
That separation agreement, I can undo it. Legally, I’ll get your status restored.”
Adrian’s voice was barely above a whisper. “I went back
through your records, I got it wrong, All those years, I got it wrong.”
Julian pulled off his mask, eyes bloodshot.
“I took everything down. Posted a public apology.”
Grant’s knuckles went white on his wheelchair armrests.
“Hit me. Scream at me. I deserve it. I never should’ve laid a hand on you.”
Reid could barely look at me.
I’ll release every system log. I faked them. I helped her.”
Wesley’s voice cracked.
I never should’ve claimed your work was mine.”
Milo was already crying.
Tessa, I’ll never film you again. I swear.”
I looked at them.
I thought I’d be furious.
I thought I’d feel vindicated.
thought I’d throw every last one of their apologies back in their teeth.
But I didn’t.
All I felt was distance,
Like a long, cold hallway stretched between us.
And at the far end, a little girl stood in the rain, clutching a
laptop bag, waiting for someone to look back.
She waited a long time.
Through fevers. Allergic reactions. A split–open knee. A voice
that disappeared.
They never looked back.
So she walked out on her own.
Now, they had finally turned around.
But that little girl wasn’t standing there anymore.
said it quietly. “No. Thank you.”
The color drained from Graham’s face.
Tessa…”
cut him off.
That April Fools‘ Day was a long time ago.”
“I’m done playing your games.”
They stood there, frozen, as if the meaning had finally landed.
Nolan dropped his head, eyes red–rimmed.
Adrian pressed a hand over his face,
Milo sank to the floor and cried like a kid.
But I didn’t bend.
Their regret was real.
So was my pain.
I turned and walked toward the exhibition hall.
The glass doors slid open.
Inside, children’s laughter and warm light filled every corner.
A little boy ran up to me clutching a comfort toy.
Tessa, l’only got to level two today. Is that okay?”
I knelt down and ruffled his hair.
Of course it is.”
When you’re scared, it’s okay to stop.”
Behind me, I heard muffled sobbing.
I didn’t turn around.
The jack–in–the–box laughed softly in my arms.
[Shift’s over! Shift’s over!]
[And repaint my skull when we get home. I look terrible.]
END