“Oh no,” I say sweetly. “This is your life now.”
Levi bounces in front of him. “TEACH US MOVES!”
Jack glances around the playground—assessing the space like it’s a tactical zone. Then he nods once, resigned. “Alright,” he says, voice calm. “Basic stuff. Only for getting away. Not for fighting.”
The kids gasp like he just offered them secret spy training.
Jack demonstrates simple, safe moves—how to pull your wrist away if someone grabs you, how to step back and run, how to use your voice loud.
“First thing,” he tells them. “You yell.”
The kids immediately start yelling.
I clap a hand over my mouth to hide my laugh. Teachers across the playground look over likewhat is happening.
Jack’s mouth twitches—almost amused.
“Louder,” he instructs.
The kids scream like tiny banshees.
Okay, maybe this is slightly unhinged.
But their faces are bright. They’re empowered. They’re thrilled.
And Jack… Jack looks alive in a way he didn’t last night. Like he forgot, for a second, that the world is dangerous.
I walk over and crouch beside Evan. “Do you want to try yelling?” I ask softly.
Evan shakes his head, but his eyes are on Jack.
Jack catches the movement and looks over—his gaze landing on Evan, something shifting in his expression. Not cold. Not hard.
Soft.
He walks over slowly and crouches too, bringing himself down to Evan’s level like he understands the way big bodies can feel intimidating to small ones.
“Hey,” Jack says quietly. “You don’t have to do the moves.”
Evan’s eyes flick up briefly, then down again.
Jack keeps his voice gentle. “But you can listen. That’s still learning.”
Evan gives the tiniest nod.
Jack glances at me for half a second like he’s checking—am I doing it right?—then looks back at Evan. “If you ever feel scared,” he says, calm and steady, “you find a grown-up. You use your voice. And if you can… you run toward a safe place.”
Evan whispers, “Okay.”
My throat tightens.
Jack stands, giving Evan space, and returns to the swarm of kids like nothing happened.
I stay crouched beside Evan for a moment, heart aching.
“What’s going on with you, little guy?” I whisper to myself.
And why does it feel like he’s not the only one in this town trying to disappear?
