The sound echoed longer than it should have. Sharp. Jarring. Out of place. Milo flinched violently. His small body pressed tighter against Arjun’s neck, nails digging into fabric as his head snapped toward the source of the noise. “Hey—easy,” Arjun said quickly, lowering his voice. “It’s alright.” But Milo wasn’t listening. His breathing changed. Fast. Uneven. Panic.