air, my voice soft but steady. "He's been through a lot." It was a lie, but it was a necessary one. Her innocent question had been a crack in their fa

e air here felt different-cleaner, filled with a sense of order and purpose that was a stark

ng officer. He was a man with a kind face but eyes that held the weigh

"Please, sit. I was so sorry to hear about D

y voice quiet. "That's why I'm he

.. they made a mistake. He's alive. He's home." I paused, letting the statement sink in. "The man

"Alive? Mrs. Miller, that's... highly unusual. We ha

en him. However, he's... not himself. He's confused. Traumatized." I was laying the groundwork, painting a pictur

cords need to be updated. And... I need a job, Commander. I have a daughter to supp

sing. He saw a grieving widow, a mother trying to hold he

l see what we can do about a position for you here on base. We t

. It was a small victory, but it was the first step to

as venomous. Grandma Miller was in the kitchen, and she had Lily sc

re doing?" I snapped, m

" Grandma Miller said without tur

me broke. I snatched Lily up, pulling her away from the dirty wa

"My son's house! You and this br

our last few bags. As I passed the master bedroom, the door was slightly ajar

was saying, her voice a whiny complaint. "That wa

in my throat. She

cess to his official accounts, we'll have everything. The pension, the benefits... we just hav

ah?" Ash

ch trouble, we'll have her declared mentally unstable. Who are they g

nt decision. They had been planning this. His own mother was complicit, happy to discard one

rtainty. I wasn't just escaping. I was goi

d. It was a text from Commander Davies' office. They had found a clerical position for me at the base supply depo

a mixture of fear and exhilaration. "Come

, blocking the front door. He must have heard us. His arms

ou're going?" he asked, h