So was it really him? The child I thought I'd never see again?
My fingers trembled. I could barely hold onto my order pad. But after the brief surge of joy and disbelief, fear began to rise in my heart.
He was so young.
All alone, out in human society. What if hunters noticed him?
Where were his guardians? Why wasn't Elias with him? But if Elias really was nearby and discovered I was still alive, living peacefully here all this time, what would he do?
Two completely different fears tangled inside me, throwing my thoughts into chaos.
Suddenly, the little boy pointed at something on the menu, interrupting my turmoil. "I want this one."
I leaned over to look. He'd chosen the most basic ham sandwich.
"Just this?" I asked softly. "Don't you want something to drink? Milk or hot chocolate?"
His eyes lit up. He nodded, then quickly shook his head. His little face scrunched up. "No, I need to save money. I can't waste it."
"It's all right. Milk is free today." I used every ounce of restraint not to stroke his soft hair. "What's your name?"
He looked up at me. "Thank you. My name is Arian."
Arian! Arian!
Novella spun joyfully inside me, repeating the name over and over. I couldn't help but share her excitement. I collected the menu and went back behind the counter to prepare his order.
But I couldn't focus on what I was doing. My mind was filled with Arian. I kept sneaking glances at him as he sat in his chair, swinging his little legs and curiously looking around the café. That innocent expression made a powerful wave of longing and guilt surge through me.
I wanted so badly to ask him where he'd come from. How his life had been from birth until now. Whether he'd ever been unhappy. Whether anyone had taken good care of him. Whether he knew who his mother was…
Lost in thought, I was startled when Frank's voice suddenly sounded beside me. "Serenity."
I nearly cut my finger with the knife.
Only then did I realize I'd completely forgotten about Frank. He still hadn't left the café.
"Look at that kid." Frank moved closer to me. His voice was low but still excited. "His clothes are expensive. He must be from a wealthy family."
I frowned. "So what?"
"A rich kid comes out to eat but only orders a ham sandwich. And there's no adult with him. His clothes are covered in dirt." Frank lowered his voice even more. "I think he might have run away from home. We should try to get some information about his family, then contact his parents to come get him. What do you think?"
Contact his parents?
If Arian really had run away from home, that was the right thing to do.
But I hesitated, unable to answer Frank right away. My breathing grew rapid.
If we contacted his parents, wouldn't that mean contacting Elias? Then he'd find this place immediately and shatter the peaceful refuge I'd finally found?—
"Please, don't tell my Daddy!"
Suddenly, the child's high-pitched voice interrupted our whispered conversation.
Arian had climbed down from his seat at some point and come close to the counter, overhearing Frank and me.
Anxiety flickered across his little face as he loudly explained, "I didn't run away from home! Please don't contact Daddy and send me back!"
