A step forward..

Panel 1 – (David sits at the veterans' group, this time engaging.)

Panel 2 – (Close-up of his face as he speaks, the first time openly sharing.) "I've spent years fighting ghosts. But I don't want to lose my family too."

Panel 3 – (Another vet nods, understanding.) "Takes time, brother. But you're here now."

Panel 4 – (David exhales, as if releasing a weight.) (Narration: "Maybe I can learn to be more than just a soldier.")

Panel 1 – (David picks Emily up from school, something he's never done before.)

Panel 2 – (Emily beams, excited.) "You really came, Daddy?"

Panel 3 – (David nods, ruffling her hair.) "Promised, didn't I?"

Panel 4 – (Sarah watches from a distance, a hopeful smile on her face.)

Panel 5 – (Narration: "Small victories.")

Panel 1 – (David walking home with Emily, stopping suddenly.)

Panel 2 – (A dark SUV parked nearby. Something about it feels off.)

Panel 3 – (David's instincts flare. His breath quickens.)

Panel 4 – (Narration: "Is it paranoia? Or is something really wrong?")

PAGE 44: The Past Resurfaces (5 Panels)

Panel 1 – (David watches the SUV, shielding Emily subtly.)

Panel 2 – (The window rolls down. A scarred man smirks at him.)

Panel 3 – (Flashback: A foreign insurgent leader, years ago, captured by David's unit.)

Panel 4 – (Back to present: The same man, alive. Free.)

Panel 5 – (Narration: "I left war behind. But it hasn't left me.")

PAGE 45: An Ominous Warning (4 Panels)

Panel 1 – (The man speaks, voice low.) "You thought we'd forget, Captain Kane?"

Panel 2 – (David doesn't react, but his body tenses.)

Panel 3 – (The car drives off, but the message is clear.)

Panel 4 – (Narration: "My past is coming for me.")

PAGE 46: Preparing for the Worst (4 Panels)

Panel 1 – (David locks all the doors at home, pacing.)

Panel 2 – (Sarah notices.) "David, what's wrong?"

Panel 3 – (David hesitates, debating whether to tell her.)

Panel 4 – (Narration: "If I tell her, I pull her into my war.")

PAGE 47: Confession (5 Panels)

Panel 1 – (David sits down, looking at Sarah seriously.)

Panel 2 – (He finally tells her everything. The war. The enemies. The threat.)

Panel 3 – (Sarah listens, her face unreadable.)

Panel 4 – (Silence. Then she says softly:) "We'll face this together."

Panel 5 – (Narration: "I don't deserve her. But I need her.")

PAGE 48: Seeking Help (4 Panels)

Panel 1 – (David makes a call. An old military contact.)

Panel 2 – (A grizzled voice on the line.) "Kane? Thought you were done with this life."

Panel 3 – (David, jaw clenched.) "So did I."

Panel 4 – (Narration: "Time to find out who else walked away from that war.")

PAGE 49: Unfinished Business (5 Panels)

Panel 1 – (David meets his old squadmate, Sgt. Reeves.)

Panel 2 – (Reeves, a tough man with scars, listens to David's concerns.)

Panel 3 – (Reeves nods.) "Yeah. We heard rumors some of them made it out."

Panel 4 – (David exhales, rubbing his temples.)

Panel 5 – (Reeves: "You thinking preemptive strike?")

PAGE 50: Torn Between Lives (4 Panels)

Panel 1 – (David staring at his family's photo.)

Panel 2 – (Narration: "I fought to come home. Now home is under threat.")

Panel 3 – (He grips the gun in his hand, undecided.)

Panel 4 – (Narration: "Do I go back to war one last time?")