Chapter 20 - The SOS
That night, after a massive dinner of grilled salmon and wine, Sarah and I sat on the back deck of the cabin, looking out over the moonlit lake. The crickets chirped softly in the tall grass, and the cool evening breeze carried the scent of pine.
"Do you ever think about him?" Sarah asked quietly, staring into the dark water.
"Only when I take out the trash," I replied, taking a sip of my bourbon.
Sarah laughed, a rich, full sound that made my heart soar.
"I was thinking," she said, leaning her head on my shoulder. "About that code. The SOS you taught me when I was a kid."
"Three short, three long, three short," I murmured.
"Yeah," she smiled softly. "I always thought it was just a silly game we played when I was little. But down in that dark... it was the only thing holding me to the surface. It was like a tether connecting me to you. I knew if I just kept tapping it, eventually, you would hear me."
I reached over and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "I'll always hear you, Sarah. No matter how deep the dark is, no matter where you are. I'll always hear you."
May you like
She leaned over and kissed my cheek. We sat in silence for a long time, watching the stars reflect on the glassy surface of the lake.
The world was still a dangerous place. There would always be monsters hiding behind expensive suits and charming smiles. But as I sat there with my daughter, safe and whole, I knew that the monsters had finally lost. We had survived the long night, and the morning was ours.
