Ethan paused at the edge of his driveway, the weight of the past year etched into his eyes. The house looked the same, yet everything felt different. Sarah, his mother, stood in the doorway, her heart pounding with disbelief.
"Ethan? Is it really you?" she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of hope and fear.
Sarah rushed forward, enveloping Ethan in a tight embrace. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she clung to her son, unwilling to let go. He stood stiffly, his eyes scanning the room, absorbing every detail.
"Where have you been? We searched everywhere!" Sarah cried, pulling back to look at him closely.
"It's a long story, Mom," Ethan replied, his voice distant, as if recalling a distant memory.
Ethan sat across from Sarah, his fingers tracing patterns on the wooden surface.
"There are things I can't explain," he began, his gaze meeting Sarah's. "Things I saw, things I learned... they're dangerous."
Sarah's heart sank as she listened, fear creeping into her thoughts.
Ethan leaned forward, his face partially illuminated by the flickering candlelight.
"It's not just about my disappearance," he confided, his voice barely above a whisper. "There are people who know what I know. They won't stop until they find me."
Sarah's eyes widened, the reality of the situation sinking in.
Sarah took a deep breath, her resolve strengthening.
"We won't let them take you," she declared, determination in her voice. "We'll figure this out together, no matter what."
Ethan nodded, feeling a flicker of hope amidst the fear.
Ethan felt a sense of belonging he hadn't experienced in over a year.
"Thank you, Mom," he said softly, his voice filled with gratitude.
Sarah smiled, her eyes shining with love and determination.
"We'll face whatever comes our way," she promised, her grip on Ethan's hand unyielding.
