Ethan didn't stop running until he reached his room.
The door shut behind him with a soft thud… Click.
Locked.
Safe.
He leaned against it for a moment, his small chest rising and falling as he caught his breath, as if he had just escaped something truly dangerous. His fingers trembled slightly as they gripped the phone.
Then he lifted it again, bringing the screen close to his face.
Nina's image filled the display, her expression warm and expectant. He stared at her, gathering his thoughts with the seriousness of someone preparing to deliver crucial testimony.
His jaw set. His eyes focused. Then, with the complete conviction of a prosecutor presenting damning evidence, he spoke;
"...Bad."
A weighted pause.
"...Daddy bad."
