Reunion

The school parking lot was alive with movement—parents waiting by their cars, children running up to familiar faces, teachers trickling out after a long day. The late afternoon sun cast golden streaks across the pavement, stretching shadows long and thin. The air smelled faintly of chalk, crayons, and freshly cut grass.

Maya weaved through the crowd, her steps quick but purposeful. She hadn't smiled—truly smiled—in days. But as soon as she looked through the window of the classroom and saw Lily sitting there, her heart softened.

Then their eyes met.

"Mommy!"

Lily's shriek cut through the room, and before Maya could react, the little girl shot up from her chair and bolted toward the door.

Maya barely had time to bend down before Lily jumped into her arms, wrapping her tiny arms around her neck. Maya caught her easily, holding her close as she felt Lily's warmth seep into her.

The teacher, a woman with kind eyes and a patient smile, chuckled softly as she watched. Some of the other kids laughed too, their giggles echoing off the classroom walls.

"She's been excited all day," the teacher said warmly.

Maya shifted Lily onto her hip, offering the teacher a small nod. "Thank you for watching her."

After a few more pleasantries, Maya turned and carried Lily outside, the sounds of the school fading behind them.

As they walked toward the car, Lily beamed up at her. That same innocent, radiant smile that had the power to pull Maya out of her darkest moments.

"Mommy, I got homework!" Lily declared, her excitement contagious. "And the teacher said you were going to teach me!"

Maya let out a soft laugh. The first real one since she saw Nash. "Oh yeah? What's the homework?"

Lily's face lit up even more as she announced, "Is the planet Earth round or square?"

Maya gasped dramatically. "Oh no, baby girl. I don't know the answer to that one."

Lily's smile faltered. Her little brows furrowed in concern.

Maya quickly kissed the top of her head. "I'm kidding, sweetie."

Lily let out a giggle, hugging her tighter. "Mommy, you're silly."

Maya smiled. Really smiled.

They reached the car, and as Maya buckled Lily into her seat, Lily swung her legs back and forth, still giggling.

"Okay, so what do you think?" Maya asked as she shut the door and got into the driver's seat. "Round or square?"

Lily scrunched up her nose, deep in thought. "Mmm… I think round."

Maya nodded as she pulled out of the parking lot. "Good answer."

"But… how do we know for sure?"

Maya smirked, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. "Well, some very smart people figured it out a long time ago. And we've seen pictures of Earth from space."

Lily's eyes widened. "Space?! Like with astronauts?"

"Yup."

Lily gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. "Mommy! Can I be an astronaut?"

Maya's heart clenched. Lily deserved a future where she could be anything. No fear, no running, no shadows lurking at every corner. Just possibilities.

Maya reached back, playfully poking her daughter's knee. "Of course you can, baby. You can be an astronaut, a scientist, or even the president if you want."

Lily gasped dramatically. "THE PRESIDENT?!"

Maya laughed. "Yep."

Lily sat up straighter, her face full of determination. "Then I wanna be an astronaut AND the president!"

Maya chuckled, her chest swelling with warmth. "Then you'll be the first-ever astronaut-president."

Lily clapped her hands. "And I'm gonna live in space and make the first White House on the moon!"

Maya shook her head, grinning. "I'd vote for you."

Lily leaned her head back against the seat, still grinning. "Mommy?"

"Yeah, baby?"

Lily's voice softened. "You're the best mommy in the whole world."

Maya's fingers tightened around the steering wheel. If only she could keep her daughter's world this simple forever. If only she could protect her from everything waiting outside this car.

But for now, for this moment, Lily was safe. And happy.

Maya blinked away the thoughts and smiled. "And you're the best little girl in the whole universe."

Lily giggled. "That's even bigger than the world!"

Maya's smile lingered as she drove the rest of the way home, listening to Lily hum to herself in the backseat.

For the first time in days, she let herself enjoy the moment.

_________________________________

Maya unlocked the front door, stepping inside with Lily nestled against her hip. The familiar scent of home—soft lavender from an old air freshener, the faintest hint of wood polish—welcomed them. The place was quiet, too quiet.

"Alright, baby girl," Maya murmured, kissing the top of Lily's head before setting her down. "Go put your backpack away and change into something comfy."

Lily, still brimming with excitement from their earlier conversation, nodded and dashed off toward her room. Maya watched her go, the sound of tiny feet padding down the hallway filling the silence.

With a tired sigh, Maya made her way into the kitchen. The fridge let out a low hum as she opened it, scanning for something quick but warm. Lily deserved a proper meal. After a few minutes, she settled on grilled cheese with tomato soup—simple, but comforting.

She worked quietly, the soft sizzle of butter against the pan the only sound in the house. Her movements were automatic, almost robotic. She had done this so many times, yet something felt heavy.

When the food was ready, she carried Lily's plate to the table.

"Lunch time, sweetheart."

Lily came running in, her little face lighting up at the sight of food. She climbed into her chair eagerly, taking the first bite with a happy hum.

"This is soooo good, Mommy," Lily said, swinging her legs under the table.

Maya managed a small smile. "I'm glad you like it, baby."

She sat with her, watching her eat, savoring these few moments of normalcy. If only life could always be like this.

Once Lily was done, Maya wiped her face with a napkin and kissed her forehead. "Alright, go finish your show. I'll be in my room if you need me."

Lily hopped down from her chair and hurried to her bedroom, already humming some song she had picked up from TV.

Maya stood in the kitchen for a long moment, gripping the edge of the counter. The room felt too big, too empty. The silence pressed down on her.

She pulled out her phone and dialed Jack.

No answer.

She tried again.

This time, after a few rings, he picked up.

"What?" His voice was sharp, impatient.

Maya blinked, taken aback. No "hello," no "hey." Just cold irritation.

"Jack… how are you?" she asked, trying to keep her voice even.

A pause. Then—silence.

Then, finally, he spoke. "What do you want, Maya?" His tone was clipped, like he was already regretting answering.

Maya inhaled slowly, gripping the phone tighter. "I was just making sure you were alright."

"I'm fine."

She closed her eyes for a moment. "When are you coming home?"

"You don't have to worry about that."

Something inside her snapped.

"You always talk about how I'm the one who doesn't belong in this family," she said, her voice low, steady. "But you don't even care enough to be here. You don't sleep at home, you don't even check in."

Jack let out a bitter laugh. "Oh please. You don't work, Maya. Your job is to look after Lily. Do the chores. Keep things in order. That's how this works."

Maya sucked in a breath. The words hit harder than she wanted them to.

She steadied herself. "Who are you with?"

Jack exhaled, annoyed. "Sarah. I told you—I'm still working the Greg Walters case."

Maya pressed her lips together. "Your daughter needs you, Jack." She kept her voice measured, calm. "That's why she never asks for you anymore."

Silence.

Then, Jack scoffed. "Oh, that's rich. You remember when you used to go out, get drunk, disappear for nights? Who do you think was here, taking care of everything? Me."

Maya swallowed down the sting of his words. "That's true," she admitted quietly. "But even back then, you and Lily never connected. You were just… here."

Another silence. But this one was different. Tighter. He didn't like that.

Without another word, the line went dead.

Maya pulled the phone away from her ear, staring at the screen.

Call ended.

She let out a shaky breath. She had expected him to get defensive, to argue. But hanging up? That meant she struck something deeper than she intended.

The moment was short-lived.

A soft thud echoed from Lily's room.

Maya's heart jumped.

She rushed to the door, pushing it open—only to find Lily curled up on the floor, her shoulders shaking, quiet sobs escaping her lips.

Maya's stomach twisted. She heard.

She dropped to her knees, scooping Lily into her arms. "Hey, hey, baby, what's wrong?"

Lily sniffled, pressing her face against Maya's chest. "Why doesn't Daddy like me?"

Maya's chest ached. "Oh, baby, that's not true—"

"Yes, it is," Lily whispered. "He never talks to me. He never plays with me. He doesn't even say goodnight."

Maya kissed her hair, rocking her gently. She didn't have an answer.

She just held her.

Lily eventually calmed, her sniffles quieting. "Can I stay in your room all day, mommy?"

Maya hesitated. Then—"Of course, baby."

She carried Lily to her own bed, tucking her under the blankets. But before she could join her, a sudden rush of dizziness hit her.

And then—

A flashback.

A silver-haired man stood in front of her, his cold gaze fixed on hers. The world around them was dark, blurred at the edges, like a half-remembered dream.

"If you do this, you will be the most protected being in the whole universe."

Maya's own voice came, distant. "Okay."

The man's lips curled slightly. "All you have to do is kill him. That's it."

Maya's pulse quickened. "Why me? Why am I the one chosen?"

The man tilted his head, amused.

"Because you are the only one capable of approaching him."

Then, after a pause, he added:

"And because you… are his weakness."

The flashback ended.

Maya gasped, her eyes snapping open.

A knock at the door.

She froze.

Her breath hitched, her fingers curling into the blanket. The weight of the past crashed into her like a tidal wave.

She stood slowly, her heartbeat drumming against her ribs. One step at a time, she walked to the door.

Peering through the peephole

, her breath caught in her throat.

Her heart started racing.

No.

Not now.

___________________________________

A villa sat quietly at the end of a long, dust-covered road. The air was thick with the scent of burning wood and gasoline, mixing with the distant sound of music and murmured voices.

A place that wasn't meant to be found unless you knew where to look.

Jack and Sarah moved cautiously, their unmarked car hidden down the road. They walked the last stretch on foot, silent, alert.

Jack's eyes scanned every dark corner, every shadow that could be hiding something—or someone. He hated this. Walking straight into a den of criminals without backup, without a plan to shoot their way out if things went south.

But Sarah? Sarah looked composed. Like she was walking into a café for a conversation, not a possible death trap.

As they reached the entrance, two heavily armed men stepped forward.

Dark eyes. Tense shoulders. Guns strapped across their chests.

"Stop," one of them barked, shifting slightly to block the path.

Jack instinctively reached for his gun.

Before he could draw, Sarah stepped in front of him, pressing a hand against his chest.

No.

The second man, taller with a jagged scar across his cheek, looked them over, unimpressed. "What do you want?"

Sarah's voice was steady, cool. "We need to speak with your boss. Alvarez."

The two men exchanged looks.

"No Alvarez here," the scarred man muttered, voice laced with amusement.

Sarah didn't blink. Didn't hesitate.

"Cut the bullshit," she said evenly. "I know he's your boss. If he's here, tell him to step out."

The man's grip on his gun tightened.

Jack's patience snapped. His hand twitched toward his holster.

The tension thickened. The air grew heavier.

Then, the scarred man took a slow step forward—too close. His lips twisted into a smirk as he reached for Sarah's arm.

Wrong move.

Sarah's hand moved fast. A sharp smack across his wrist sent a loud crack through the air.

The man froze.

Then—he cocked his weapon.

"Smack my fucking hand one more time," he growled, voice low and deadly, "and your body's gonna smack the floor next."

Jack moved before he could think.

His gun was up in an instant, his free hand yanking Sarah behind him.

"I'm a detective!" Jack snapped. "Put your fucking gun down."

The two men didn't move.

Didn't blink.

Jack's finger hovered over the trigger. He was ready.

Then—the deep, rumbling of engines.

From the side of the villa, more armed men emerged. Some stepped out from parked vehicles, others appeared from behind the stone walls of the villa itself.

Jack's gut tightened. They were surrounded.

One of the men—older, stockier, with a cigarette hanging from his lips—stepped forward and raised a hand. A simple gesture.

Immediately, the others lowered their weapons.

Jack didn't.

A man jumped down from the back of an SUV. His white shirt was crisp, almost too clean for someone who ran with men like these. His dark features were sharp, his eyes calculating.

He moved with the kind of confidence that came from power.

He stopped a few feet away, his expression unreadable.

Then, finally, he spoke.

"Who the fuck are you?" His accent was thick, his English rough.

Sarah took a step forward.

"I need to ask you something," she said, her voice even.

The man's eyebrows raised slightly, amused. "Yeah? What?"

Sarah didn't flinch. "Are you Alvarez?"

The man's lips twitched. A near-smile.

"And if I am?"

Sarah didn't blink. "Then you need to answer a few questions."

Alvarez tilted his head, studying her like he was debating whether she was worth his time.

"I don't answer to cops," he muttered, his tone flat.

Jack, still gripping his gun, narrowed his eyes. "So you're Alvarez."

The man didn't confirm. Didn't deny.

Sarah pressed on. "Greg Walters. Do you know him?"

Alvarez's expression didn't change.

Sarah waited. Watched.

Then—a flicker.

A barely-there reaction.

He knew something.

"No," Alvarez said, voice deliberate.

Sarah tilted her head slightly. "You sure? Think carefully."

Alvarez's gaze darkened. "I said no."

Jack, impatient, cut in. "Where were you two nights ago?"

Alvarez let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You two are stupidly brave." He spread his arms wide, gesturing to his men. "Imagine if I had anything to do with Greg's death. You think you'd make it out of here alive?"

Jack and Sarah didn't answer.

Alvarez smirked. "Silent treatment, huh?"

Sarah ignored his taunt. "Have you and Greg ever done business together?"

Alvarez's face hardened. "I don't discuss my personal business."

Sarah studied him. He was hiding something.

But this wasn't the place to push.

She took a small step back. Then another.

Jack followed, though his jaw was clenched tight.

They walked backward, slow and steady, until they reached a safe distance.

Only then did they turn, heading toward where their car was parked.

Jack finally spoke. "Do you believe him?"

Sarah shook her head. "Not for a second."

Jack huffed. "Then why did we just walk away?"

Sarah exhaled, turning toward him.

Her expression was unreadable.

"Because we were outnumbered," she said simply.

Jack didn't look convinced. "And all those questions?"

Sarah finally allowed herself a small, knowing smirk.

"As a cop," she said smoothly, her voice controlled, "when you're afraid, you don't show it."

Jack watched her for a beat.

Then, without another word, they climbed into the car.

The engine rumbled to life, and they drove away.

The villa, the armed men, and Alvarez—left behind in the dust.

___________________________________

No.

Not now.

Maya said as she looked through her peephole. A lady dressed in an expensive robe and a man standing behind her in a black suit.

Maya started shaking as she opened the door and was greeted by a smile "Long time, no see Maya"