“It’s an automated notification from the home security system,” Daniel muttered.

He tapped the screen again.

“Why does it say ‘System Override – Restricted Access’?”

I watched him through the heavy glass of the door, my expression flat.

I knew exactly what his screen was showing him.

The home security app had just pushed a high-definition video clip directly to his device.

It was the standard automated protocol for a perimeter lockout event, showing the preceding five minutes of activity on the back deck.

Daniel’s thumb pressed the play button.

The volume on his phone was turned up high enough that the audio carried through the vents near the kitchen window.

On the screen, the footage began to play.

It showed the back deck from a wide, high-angle perspective.

The camera captured Ava standing near the edge of the steps.

It captured me standing five feet away, near the sliding glass door, my hands tucked into the pockets of my fleece jacket.

On the video, Ava looked directly at me, her eyes narrowing.

Then, she deliberately threw herself backward onto the wooden boards, letting out a sharp, theatrical shriek.