CHAPTER - 4

TWENTY YEARS LATER

A woman strolled gracefully through the vibrant capital, the hem of her soft dress brushing the cobbled path as she shopped for little delights to bring home to her beloved grandmother. Her smile was serene, her steps light. By her side walked a tall young man with kind eyes—Janel, her childhood friend and ever-loyal companion.

They paused before a renowned bakery, its windows fogged with the scent of warm pastries.

"What do you think is more delicious?" Janel asked, his tone gentle but teasing, eyes lingering on her more than the pastries.

Sareyah chuckled, a blush rising to her cheeks. "You always ask that, but you always choose the same bread."

Their hands brushed lightly as they reached for the same loaf. For a moment, the world stilled, wrapped in something too delicate to name.

FLASHBACK

"We’re here now, my dear. Come on, let’s go down," her grandmother had said all those years ago.

Sareyah, then a wide-eyed girl, clutched her doll and gazed at their new home. "Where are we, Mommy?"

"This is where your mother grew up. From now on, this is home."

Not far from them, a scuffle caught Sareyah’s attention—a group of children stood in a circle, jeering. A boy, hunched and small, stood alone among them.

“Come, dear,” her grandmother urged. Sareyah followed, but her gaze lingered.

The next afternoon, Sareyah stepped outside and accidentally bumped into someone—him. The same boy.

"I’m sorry! Please don’t hurt me," he stammered, bracing himself.

She blinked. "Oh! I wasn’t looking either. I’m sorry."

He looked up, and she was struck by the softness in his eyes.

"I’m Sareyah. May I know your name?"

"J-Janel," he whispered, face flushed.

"Nice to meet you, Janel! Want to play?"

He hesitated… then nodded.

FLASHBACK END

After choosing their pastries, Janel excused himself to buy something else. Sareyah waited by the roadside, the golden sun now casting long shadows.

That’s when she saw him.

A man cloaked in a long brown garment stood in the shadows, his face obscured. Something about him felt... wrong. His stillness wasn’t natural. It was expectant.

Yet, her kindness compelled her forward.

"Do you need help?" she asked softly.

He didn’t move.

"Hello?" she tried again, her voice barely above a whisper.

She reached into her bag and offered him a warm loaf. "Here… I hope this helps."

Still no answer. Just silence—and something cold brushing her spine.

Janel returned, immediately tense. "Who was that?"

"Just someone who looked like they needed help."

Janel nodded, though his eyes stayed locked on the figure as they walked away.

Behind them, in the dusky light, the man’s lips parted into a crooked, knowing smile.

Later that evening, Sareyah returned home.

"I’m back, Mommy," she called.