CHAPTER 3: THE GIRL AT THE DOOR
That night, just as the sun dipped below the Dallas skyline, a soft knock echoed through the apartment.
Not the doorbell.
A knock.
Slow.
Careful.
I opened the door—and froze.
A little girl stood there. No older than eight.
Barefoot.
Holding a small, worn backpack.
Her eyes were wide, scanning the hallway behind me.
“Is… is Colonel Brooks here?” she asked.
The air left my lungs.
Alexander appeared behind me instantly.
The moment he saw the child, something shifted in his face.
Recognition.
Shock.
“Where did you hear that name?” he asked.
The girl swallowed.
“My mom told me… if anything bad ever happened… I should find you.”
Sofia stepped closer. “What’s your name, sweetie?”
The girl hesitated.
Then said, “Lina Vega.”
The room went completely silent.
Alexander’s hand slowly tightened into a fist.
“Vega…” he repeated.
May you like
The past hadn’t just come back.
It had walked straight to our door.
