Maya unfastened her harness.
Leo ran toward her.
She dropped to her knees.
He collided with her chest.
“You came back!”
Maya held him so tightly he squeaked.
“I promised.”
Outside, the F-16 circled once.
Then began its approach toward the platform.
Maya stood at the cockpit window.
For the first time in eight years, she was about to see Ethan Cross alive.
And she had absolutely no idea whether she wanted to hug him—
or make him wish he had stayed a ghost.
PART 8 — FINAL
WHEN THE GHOST STEPPED OUT OF THE SKY
The canopy opened.
Maya stood on the floating platform with Leo’s hand in hers.
Emergency crews surrounded Flight 417.
Passengers were being guided toward transport vessels.
Marian Holt had been placed under federal custody.
Captain Reeves had surrendered without resistance.
Celeste had voluntarily handed over every file she possessed.
But Maya barely noticed any of it.
