But Gregory did not believe it in his heart, because nothing about the situation felt natural or explainable in a way that made sense. It felt wrong in a way he could not prove, like something hidden beneath the surface waiting to be uncovered.
“Daddy,” Daisy whispered softly, her voice fragile but calm, “is it night already?”
Gregory felt his chest tighten painfully as he looked up at the bright afternoon sky. “No, sweetheart,” he said gently, forcing steadiness into his tone, “it’s just some clouds passing by.”
That was when he noticed the boy standing a short distance away.
He was not begging, and he was not selling anything, and he simply stood there watching them with a stillness that felt unusual. He looked about ten years old, dressed in worn clothing that had clearly seen better days, yet his eyes were sharp and focused in a way that made Gregory uneasy.
Gregory exhaled with irritation and waved his hand dismissively. “Not today, kid,” he said firmly, “go on and find somewhere else.”
The boy did not move or react like Gregory expected, and instead he stepped closer with quiet confidence. Then he spoke in a calm voice that carried more weight than it should have.