"Uncle Dom!" Austin exclaimed, grabbing Dominic's arms. "It's really you!"

"Of course it's me," Dominic snorted, glaring.

Austin giggled, overwhelmed with joy. As they talked, Mike stormed toward the car, pressing against the window and banging. "Nick?! Nicky!"

Alexander, Austin, and Dominic fell silent. Alexander approached Mike and patted his shoulder. "He's not in there."

"You're lying!" Mike shoved Alexander's hand away, refusing to believe him. "If Dominic can come back, why can't my son?" He pointed at Dominic, his voice rising.

Alexander looked at him intently. "You know your son's situation is different."

"How is it different? He's just a kid!" Mike shouted, tears welling. The embassy's release of Dominic but not Nick was a devastating blow. "They're treating him as a test subject, like Lily," Alexander said calmly.

Mike knew, but couldn't accept it. He would have taken Nick's place if he could. He sank to his knees, his hands still on the car.

Dominic and Austin approached. Dominic said, "I saw your son."

Mike looked up, hope flickering in his eyes. "Really?!"

Dominic nodded thoughtfully. "Only once. Isn't he about this tall?" He gestured. "Well-behaved, big eyes, speaks steadily… like a grown-up, right?"

Mike nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, that's him! How is he? Has he lost weight? Is he hurt? Is anything wrong?"

Dominic glanced at Mike's hands, then looked up and shook his head. "I'd never met him before. How would I know about weight? No injuries. I checked his pulse; he's healthy. He's not sick."

Relieved, Mike kept nodding. "What else?"

"That's all. I only met him once." Dominic paused. "However, your son is a much stronger person than you."

Mike looked puzzled.

Dominic gently removed Mike's hands. "I meant that last part."