It wasn't clear… but it was clear enough.

And as I watched the video cycle over and over, pixels snapping and shuddering before settling on that shot of that hallway, I could feel my heart thumping like it was trying to break through the walls of my chest. I knew that face. I knew those sunken eyes, that mousy posture, the way he was glancing around like he was in trouble for something and about to grab sweets.

Mason.

Mason, the very same stuttering, nervous, geeky Mason who'd been ...