prologue
445 Words
Rain poured down without mercy, slowly washing the blood from the deserted road.
Sarah Willer held her baby close against her chest as she ran. Her heart pounded so hard it hurt. Little Hannah, only a few months old, slept peacefully in her mother's arms, completely unaware that death was chasing them.
"Keep running!" a man's voice echoed from the darkness.
Sarah didn't dare turn around.
She couldn't.
If they caught her, her daughter would never have the chance to grow up.
Every step became harder than the last. Her legs were weak, and her lungs burned, but she refused to stop. Then, through the curtain of rain, the bright headlights of a black luxury car appeared.
The vehicle screeched to a halt.
A young man in his twenties stepped out. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, and despite the heavy rain, he remained calm. His sharp gaze rested on Sarah.
"Please..." she cried, her voice breaking as tears mixed with the rain on her face. "They're trying to kill my daughter."
The young man looked past her.
Several armed figures were emerging from the shadows.
Without a second thought, he stepped in front of Sarah, shielding her with his body.
"Get in the car."
The masked men stopped in their tracks.
"Mr. Johnson," one of them said carefully, "this has nothing to do with you."
Kevin Johnson's expression hardened instantly.
"It does now."
Silence settled over the road.
No one moved.
After a long moment, the men exchanged uneasy glances before slowly retreating into the darkness.
The instant they disappeared, Sarah's strength gave out. She dropped to her knees, holding Hannah tightly against her chest as tears of relief streamed down her face.
"You saved us," she whispered.
Kevin gently helped her back to her feet.
"Who are they?"
Sarah lowered her eyes.
"I can't tell you... not yet." Her voice trembled. "But one day, they'll come back for my daughter."
Kevin looked down at the sleeping baby.
Something stirred deep inside him. He couldn't explain it, but he suddenly felt responsible for protecting her.
Sarah reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a small silver key. She placed it in his hand.
"If anything happens to me before Hannah learns the truth... promise me you'll protect her."
Kevin closed his fingers around the key without hesitation.
"I promise."
Sarah searched his face, looking for the slightest sign of uncertainty.
She found none.
Years later, that promise would bring Hannah and Kevin face to face once again.
Neither of them could imagine that honoring it would spark a deadly war, uncover secrets buried for years, and change both of their lives forever.
- Writer
