_I prayed this was one of my smaller mistakes._

Daniel had that thought pop to his mind as he found himself looking down the barrel of a shotgun, hands raised in a show of surrender but the woman doesn’t lower her weapon nor does she take her finger off the trigger-

“What are you doing in my house?” She says calmly, her eyes narrowed as she looks over his no doubt terrified expression.

“I-I didn’t-“ _didn’t what? Expect someone to be here? Expect to get caught? Can’t say I didn’t break in, because I very much did break in- _“I- Um..”

“**Spit it out**.” She hisses at him, her expression tightening as she sneers. He swallows.

“I was dared to come in here.” He says suddenly, deciding to go with the truth. She doesn’t seem to believe him if the way her expression only tenses further is any indication. “I swear I didn’t mean- I didn’t think anyone actually lived _here_-“

“Yeah well, **I** live here so-“ She cuts herself off as Daniel shifts slightly, her eyes flickering to the ground as a sudden light catches her eyes..

Daniel has never been one to feeling embarrassed for how he dresses, but today he wishes he hadn’t worn the light up Sketchers.

The woman blinks slowly, her expression morphing from one of anger to one of pure undeniable confusion as she slowly says, “Just how old did you say you are?”

“I didn’t.” He says on instinct and kicks himself when he remembers that he’s talking to someone holding a gun to him. He quickly says, “I’m fifteen.”

“Old enough to know better then.” She mutters, slowly lowering the gun with a soft sigh. “Fuckin’ kids- anymore of you bastards sneak in here?”

“No, ma’am-“

“Don’t _ma’am _me- I’m barely thirty!”

“Sorry, m- sorry.”

“Get outta my damn house.” She uses the shotgun to gesture to the door behind him.

“Yes, ma- yes, I’ll do that.” Daniel nearly trips over his own feet as he rushes to the front door.

Maybe his mom was right, maybe he needs to find some better friends.