Chapter 3 - The Forgotten Blaze
Mr. Gallo froze. The hardened mafia boss, feared by the most ruthless criminals in the city, stood completely paralyzed by the words of a seven-year-old child.
Linda’s eyes darted between her employer’s tattooed forearms and her son’s pale face, her mind spinning in total confusion.
"Keo, baby... what are you talking about?" Linda asked, her voice cracking as she leaned over her son. "You've never met Mr. Gallo before..."
"Yes I did, Mommy..." Keo wheezed softly, clutching his blue action figure against his chest. "Four years ago... the big fire at the apartment... the man with the dark dragon tattoos carried me out in his jacket..."
Linda felt the ground beneath her feet give way. Four years ago, the residential building where she lived had been engulfed in a catastrophic arson attack. She had been trapped outside by firefighters while her three-year-old boy was trapped on the third floor.
An anonymous stranger in a dark coat had charged through the flames, bringing Keo out alive before vanishing into the smoke before the police or paramedics could ask for his name.
Linda looked up at Mr. Gallo, her lower lip trembling as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
Mr. Gallo averted his eyes slightly, his jaw clenched tight. "It was just a fire, Linda. It doesn't matter now."
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"It matters to me!" Linda cried out softly, fresh tears spilling over her eyelashes. "You saved my child's life... and I never knew."
👉 Who was actually behind the arson attack four years ago that almost killed Linda's son?
