Chapter 1: The Bag
Chapter 1: The Bag
The terminal seemed to hold its breath.
"Sir... my mom told me never to open it."
The little boy's voice trembled.
Officer Brooks slowly withdrew his hand.
Every instinct told him not to touch the backpack.
Not yet.
The mother stood several feet away now, pale as paper.
"Ma'am," Brooks said firmly, "who packed this bag?"
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Rex's growl deepened.
Airport officers surrounded the area while emergency response teams rushed toward Gate 14.
Passengers watched from behind security barriers.
Some were crying.
Others recorded everything on their phones.
The little boy looked completely confused.
"Am I in trouble?" he asked softly.
Brooks felt a knot form in his stomach.
"No, son."
The child's eyes filled with tears.
"My mom said it was a surprise."
The entire terminal became silent.
A surprise.
May you like
The mother suddenly covered her face and broke down sobbing.
And that's when everyone assumed the worst.
