“She said… if something bad ever happened…”

He stopped speaking. His fingers tightened around the silver music box. “…I had to bring this.”

Sarah glanced at Michael. Neither of them interrupted him. Ethan slowly lifted the old music box between them.

“This is why I’m here.”

Sarah looked more closely for the first time.

The box was beautifully made despite its age. Tiny scratches covered the silver surface, and years of careful use had softened every sharp edge. It wasn’t an expensive collector’s item.