Lenoir and Lewis Tetch stood side by side in their shared bedroom, facing the mirror. Their reflections stared back at them with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Today was the day they had been waiting for—the day they were leaving for college.

"Are you ready for this?" Lewis asked, running a hand through his dark hair. He always seemed calm, but Lenoir knew her twin well enough to see the hints of tension in his posture.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Lenoir replied, adjusting the strap of her backpack. "It's weird though, right? Leaving everything behind."

"Yeah, it is," Lewis agreed. "But think about it—we finally get to make our own decisions. No more Dad trying to micromanage everything."

Lenoir smiled at the thought. Jervis Tetch, their father, had always been a bit overprotective, especially when it came to Lenoir. Her sharp mind and fascination with psychology reminded Jervis of his old friend, Jonathan Crane, which made him worry. He didn't want her to go down the same path of obsession and darkness that Jonathan had.

Meanwhile, their mother, Jordan Crane, had always encouraged independence. She believed that her children should explore the world, find themselves, and not be bound by their parents' pasts. It was her influence that had led both twins to pursue higher education in different fields—Lenoir in psychology and Lewis in engineering.

"I wonder how Mom and Dad are taking this," Lenoir mused, glancing out the window. The house was unusually quiet, and she hadn't seen her parents all morning.

"They're probably in denial," Lewis said with a grin. "You know how Dad is—he's probably still figuring out how to stop time."

Lenoir laughed softly, then paused, her gaze drifting toward the corner of the room. "Do you ever feel like we're being watched?"

"All the time," Lewis said, half-jokingly. "That's just growing up with Dad. He's got cameras everywhere."

"No, I mean…" Lenoir trailed off, a strange feeling settling in her chest. It wasn't just their father's watchful eye—it was something deeper, something more instinctual. The air felt heavy with the weight of change, and she couldn't shake the feeling that leaving for college wasn't just about their future—it was about leaving behind their past.

Lewis noticed her expression and nudged her playfully. "Don't start getting all existential on me. We've got a whole car ride ahead for you to brood over your thoughts."

Lenoir rolled her eyes, but she couldn't deny the sense of foreboding. Still, she forced herself to focus on the present. She had worked hard to get into one of the top psychology programs in the country, and she wasn't about to let her doubts cloud the excitement of this new chapter.

"Alright, let's do this," she said with newfound determination.

They grabbed their bags and headed downstairs. Jervis and Jordan were waiting for them in the kitchen. Their father's eyes were suspiciously red, and their mother wore a proud but slightly sad smile.

"Your father's been giving me the silent treatment all morning," Jordan said lightly, ruffling Lewis's hair. "I think he's in shock that you two are actually leaving."

"Not in shock," Jervis muttered. "Just… processing."

"Come on, Dad," Lewis said with a grin. "We're not going to Mars. We'll be back for holidays."

"I know, I know," Jervis sighed, pulling Lenoir into a tight hug. "It's just… you're growing up. Both of you. And the world out there… it's not always kind."

Lenoir hugged him back, feeling the weight of his words. She knew he meant well, but sometimes his protectiveness bordered on paranoia. Still, she appreciated his concern.

"We'll be fine, Dad," Lenoir assured him. "You and Mom raised us well."

Jordan smiled and wrapped her arms around both of them. "We're so proud of you two. Just remember to call home once in a while."

"Promise," Lewis said, grabbing his car keys. "Let's hit the road, Lenny."

With one last round of goodbyes, the twins walked out the front door and into the next chapter of their lives. As they drove away, Lenoir couldn't shake the feeling that something was changing—something more than just leaving home.

Lewis must have sensed it too because he glanced over at her. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Lenoir said, though her voice was distant. "I think so."

But deep down, she knew that their journey was only just beginning—and it wasn't going to be as simple as going to college. Something was waiting for them, something tied to their family's past. And whatever it was, Lenoir knew they'd face it together, just like they always had.