“WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY CAR?!” The scream ripped across the blazing parking lot as the camera whip-panned through rows of shimmering vehicles, heat waves bending the air—then locked onto Ethan standing beside a shattered window, glass scattered across the asphalt, a baby clutched tightly in his arms. For a split second, everything felt frozen—then the memory hit like a flash. The camera snapped back—inside the car—the baby trapped, face red, weak cries barely breaking through the suffocating heat. “Hello?! Is anyone there?!” Ethan had shouted, pounding on the glass, panic rising fast. The heartbeat kicked in. Loud. Relentless. He grabbed a stone, his hands shaking. “I’m sorry…” he whispered. CRACK.

The first hit. CRACK. The second. Then—SHATTER. Glass burst outward, shards catching sunlight as they fell in slow motion. Back to now—Ethan pulling the baby out, fumbling with the buckle. “It’s okay… I’ve got you…” he murmured, holding the child close as the weak crying continued. Then she appeared—the woman—running into frame, fury exploding across her face. “PUT MY BABY DOWN!” she screamed, closing the distance fast. Ethan froze for a split second… then tightened his grip, instinct taking over. “She couldn’t breathe!” he said, voice shaking but firm. The woman didn’t stop. “You broke my car!” she shouted, reaching for the baby. Ethan stepped back, shielding the child. “She was dying!” he fired back, louder now.

The baby whimpered weakly between them. The tension snapped tight. The woman hesitated—just for a second—eyes flicking to the baby’s face… then back to Ethan. “…give her to me,” she said, but her voice had changed. Cracked. Uncertain. Ethan didn’t move. “…where were you?” he asked, low, controlled now. Silence. The heat hummed around them. The woman’s expression faltered. “I was just gone for a minute—” she started, but her voice broke. Ethan’s jaw tightened. “…in this heat?” he said quietly. The woman looked away. Couldn’t answer. The baby’s crying grew softer… weaker. Ethan’s eyes widened slightly. “…she’s not getting better…” he whispered. The woman’s panic surged back instantly. “Give her to me!” she shouted again, stepping forward— But Ethan didn’t let go. He looked at the baby… then back at her… and said something that made her freeze completely—