“I love you, Daddy. Please take care.”
The moment the little girl’s soft voice landed in his ears, Vincent felt his breath disappear. A warm torrent rose from inside his chest. It dried his throat and wetted his eyes. He wanted to hug the little angel back, but his hands were covered with blood. He would only taint her. Thus, he cleared his throat and said in an almost contorted, dry voice, “Thank you, dear. Now go back.”
Angela removed her hands and took a step back reluctantly.
Vincent persuaded her again, “Go back, sweetie. Come on. You shouldn’t be here.”
Angela then lowered her head and slowly turned around. She kept turning her head back while walking away from him as if anticipating something.
When she walked out of the shadow behind the fountain and into the dim, orange light,
