Suit Man: “Step away from the child. Now.”
The suited man was closer now. Behind him, the SUV door remained half open. The other two men had not moved—but their attention was locked on Adrian.
Adrian didn’t step back.
Neither did he move forward.
He stayed between the girl and them.
Adrian (calm, but firm): “Who are you people?”
The man smiled slightly, but there was no warmth in it.
Suit Man: “That’s not important. What’s important is that you leave.”
The little girl tightened her grip on Adrian’s sleeve.
Little Girl (whispering): “They told me not to talk to anyone… but my mom said you would understand.”
Adrian looked down at her.
Adrian (softly): “Understand what?”
Her voice broke completely.
Little Girl: “Daniel… is still alive.”
Silence hit like a physical force.
Adrian’s expression changed—like something locked deep inside him had been cracked open.
Adrian: “That’s impossible. He died years ago.”
The girl shook her head quickly.
Little Girl: “No. They made everyone think that. My mom said he never died… they took him away.”
One of the men in the distance stepped forward.
Second Suit Man (calling out): “Enough. Move away from her.”
Adrian finally stood fully, blocking the girl behind him.
Adrian (low, controlled): “If Daniel is alive… where is he?”
A long pause.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
Then the first suited man answered quietly:
Suit Man: “You were never supposed to hear that name again.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
Adrian: “So it’s true.”
The girl stepped slightly forward from behind him, voice trembling but determined.
Little Girl: “My mom said if I find you… you’ll find him.”
Adrian looked at her again.
Really looked.
The resemblance wasn’t clear at first—but something in her eyes, her expression, her fear… felt familiar in a way that made his chest tighten.
The ribbon on the bicycle moved again in the wind.
D.M.
Adrian slowly reached for it.
The suited men reacted instantly.
Suit Man (shouting): “Don’t touch that!”
But it was too late.
Adrian had already seen it.
And in that moment, everything he believed about his brother’s death began to collapse.
The girl whispered one last thing:
Little Girl: “Please… don’t let them take me like they took him.”
Adrian lifted his gaze toward the men.
For the first time, he wasn’t confused.
He was certain.
Adrian (coldly): “You’re going to tell me where my brother is.”
And the street, once peaceful and golden, turned into something else entirely.
