FLASHBACK
Little Mason sat cross-legged on the floor of his room, surrounded by his favorite action figures and toy cars. His small hands worked tirelessly to line up his tiny plastic soldiers in a formation, preparing them for the imaginary battle he had in mind.
As he moved a small tank across the carpet, making "pew-pew" sounds, he suddenly felt his throat go dry.
He got to his feet, brushing off the dirt from his clothes, and headed out of his room. The house was quiet, as it often was at this time of day. His mother was probably in the kitchen or doing something downstairs.
Mason walked quietly down the hallway. When he reached the top of the staircase, a sudden loud ring filled the silence, startling him. He froze, listening.
It was the doorbell. His young mind wondered who it could be. They didn't usually get visitors, and his father and brother wasn't home yet.
