The voice behind him repeated, colder this time.
“Step away from her.”
The suited man was closer now—hands visible, posture controlled, but his eyes sharp enough to cut through hesitation.
Adrian slowly turned his head, still keeping himself between the girl and the man.
Adrian: “Who are you?”
Man in Suit: “You don’t need to know that. You just need to walk away.”
The little girl tightened her grip on Adrian’s sleeve. Her breathing turned uneven.
Little Girl (whispering): “Please… they said not to trust anyone…”
Adrian lowered his voice without looking back at her.
Adrian: “Did they hurt your mother?”
She hesitated… then nodded once.
That was enough.
Adrian stepped slightly forward instead of back.
Adrian: “If you’re here for her, then talk. No games.”
The second man from the SUV started walking too. Now both were approaching from different angles.
Man in Suit #2: “Adrian Cole… you really shouldn’t have stopped.”
That made everything colder.
He knew his name.
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
Adrian: “So this is personal.”
The first man exhaled slowly.
Man in Suit #1: “It stopped being personal the moment Daniel disappeared.”
At the mention of that name, the little girl flinched violently.
Little Girl: “No… no, please…”
Adrian looked down at her.
Adrian: “What did they tell you about Daniel?”
She shook her head fast, tears spilling again.
Little Girl: “Only that he could save her…”
A sudden sound cracked through the air—
A car door slammed from the SUV.
A third figure stepped out.
But this one wasn’t dressed like the others.
No suit.
No uniform.
Just a long dark coat… and a calm, almost familiar walk.
The girl froze completely.
Little Girl (barely a breath): “That’s him…”
Adrian’s entire body went still.
Adrian: “That’s who?”
She pointed—hand shaking uncontrollably.
Little Girl: “Daniel…”
The man stopped under the shadow of the trees.
And when the light finally hit his face…
Adrian felt reality shift.
Because the man standing there—
looked exactly like him.
