THE SOLDIER'S RETURN
Chapter I: The Grand Foyer and the Missing Boy
The double mahogany doors of the estate swung open beneath the warm, glittering radiance of a grand crystal chandelier. Standing at the threshold, carrying an olive duffel bag over his shoulder, was Master Sergeant Marcus Kenney.
Marcus stood tall and proud in his immaculate dress blues, his chest adorned with rows of ribbon bars, jump wings, and valor citations earned through grueling overseas deployments. With an expansive, joyful grin lighting up his face, he stepped into the mansion’s entrance hall, ready to embrace the family he had fought so hard to return to.
"Milo! Dad's home!" Marcus bellowed, his deep, resonant voice echoing through the vaulted corridors.
Lined up along the grand staircase were well-dressed guests, relatives, and champagne-holding socialites dressed in evening gowns and black tuxedos, feigning polite smiles for what was supposed to be a grand welcome-home reception.
Yet, the person Marcus longed for most was nowhere to be seen.