Arthur Vance sat quietly in his sunlit living room near the large American flag hanging proudly on the wall.
The quiet room echoed with the ticking of an old grandfather clock standing in the corner.
He was a proud retired lawyer who spent his days reading legal memoirs and enjoying his retirement.
Arthur had lived alone in the spacious house ever since his wife passed away five years ago.
His only son, David, had left home fifteen years earlier after a painful family dispute over inheritance.
Arthur had searched for David for years, but the trail had gone completely cold long ago.
Suddenly, the heavy front door burst open with a loud thud that shook the hallway frame.
A young boy with dusty shoes and a tear-stained face ran frantically into the front parlor.
Arthur stood up immediately, his sharp lawyer instincts taking over the sudden confusion.
The boy scrambled across the hardwood floor toward the table where Arthur was sitting.
Boy: Please, my mother said only you can help me!
Arthur stared at the child while trying to understand how he got inside his home.
Arthur: Calm down, son. Who is your mother?
The child caught his breath as heavy footsteps echoed outside on the front porch.
Boy: Her name is Sarah, but she told me to bring this to Arthur Vance.
Arthur felt his heart skip a beat when he heard his own full name spoken aloud.
The young boy reached into his pocket with cold, shivering hands.
He pulled out a faded photo along with a worn silver locket attached to a string.
Arthur reached out slowly and took the small silver locket into his palm.
The silver metal felt cool against his warm skin as he unlatched the tiny clasp.
Inside was a picture of a young man wearing a sharp suit next to a smiling woman.
Arthur: This was my son... my David.
He stared at the boy's dark blue eyes and recognized the family resemblance instantly.
Arthur: You... you are my grandson.
Tears gathered in the old lawyer's eyes as he pulled the boy closer to his side.
Boy: Grandpa, there is a man following me, and he's right at the door!
Arthur looked toward the entryway as a shadows blocked the sunlight through the glass.
Arthur: You do not need to be afraid anymore, son.
The heavy brass door knocker sounded three sharp times against the wood.