Aiden’s mother, reappears.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw her. Standing in front of me, after all these years, was my mother. The mother I thought was dead.

At first, I was in shock. I couldn't speak, I couldn't move. I just stood there, staring at her. But then, the shock turned to anger.

"Where have you been?" I demanded, my voice rising. "Do you have any idea what you put us through?"

My mother looked at me with a sad expression. "I'm sorry, Aiden. I had to leave. It wasn't safe for me to stay."

"Not safe?" I repeated incredulously. "Do you have any idea how dangerous it was for us when you disappeared? We thought you were dead."

"I know," she said softly. "And I'm sorry. But I had to protect you. And now, I need your help."

"My help?" I asked, confused. "With what?"

"It's complicated," she said, looking away. "But there are people after me. Dangerous people. And I need your help to keep me safe."

I looked at her skeptically. "Who are these people? And why are they after you?"

"It's a long story," she