After being gone, missing for two long years, Cain stood at the front door of his family's house. He hesitated only briefly before knocking. When the door opened, his father stood there, frozen. The phone in his hand slipped and clattered to the floor.
For several heartbeats, they simply stared at each other. Then, as if the world suddenly caught up to them, his mother and younger sister appeared behind his father. Their faces shifted from shock to disbelief, and then to overwhelming joy.
"Cain?" his mother whispered, her voice trembling.
Cain gave a slight smile. "I'm home."
Before he could say anything else, his parents surged forward, pulling him into a fierce embrace. Their arms wrapped tightly around him as though afraid he might vanish again. Over his parents' shoulders, he noticed his sister standing just a few steps away, tears streaming down her face.
He reached out and gently placed a hand on her head. "Don't cry, I'm not leaving again," he said softly. "I'm home."