It happens nearly a week later.
In a rare moment of alone time, I decided to sit on the edge of the beach and read for a bit. The sun beat down onto the sand, warming me from the inside as I dug my bare feet underneath. The waves crashing onto the shore made for the perfect ambience as I focused on my book; with a cool breeze blowing every now and then when I get a tiny little too warm.
The silence is broken by a shrill scream from down the beach.
As I look in the direction of said scream, what do I see, but Pike running.
He’s running away from the same three adults who were raising their voices at him last year. His parents.
He spots me, and his face, so full of fear, lights up just the tiniest bit of hope.
“Pike!” I drop my book to the side and run as hard as I can over the s
