..~Arabella~
I took a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions surging within me. The little girl’s brow was furrowed with concern, and for a fleeting moment, I wished I could see the world through her innocent eyes. "I... I'm okay," I managed to reply, my voice barely above a whisper. The truth was, I didn’t know if I was okay or not.
The stranger shifted his weight awkwardly, as if grappling with his own uncertainty. He wore a dark hoodie, its hood pulled low over his face, casting a shadow that obscured his features. In that moment, curiosity nudged me to learn more about him, even as caution whispered warnings in my ear.
"What’s your name?" I asked, pulling my thoughts together, hoping to break the tension that hung heavily in the air. The kid beside me squeezed my le
