amily safe if everyone believes half of us are dead.”
I stood abruptly.
The chair fell backward.
Sophie grabbed my arm.
“Mom.”
I paced.
Six years.
My sons.
Alive.
Maybe.
Taken.
Without consent.
Without goodbye.
Daniel continued.
“I know this sounds insane.”
“Yes.”
I whispered.
“Yes.”
He looked exhausted.
“If I can contact you safely later, I will.”
“If I can’t, I need you to forgive me.”
I laughed through tears.
Forgive him.
Then.
“There is something in the lining of my blue fishing jacket.”
The video ended.
Silence.
Sophie and I stared a