Chapter 13

It looked like a family. The man held a child in his arms, laughing wholeheartedly, while the woman sat on a picnic blanket nearby, bundled up in thick layers, carefully arranging plates. They looked so happy, Arthur thought. If Winter had lived, if he and Cindy were still together, their child would probably be around that age by now. The park had a vast lake. Ever since Cindy's death, Arthur had developed a fear of water, yet today, he felt drawn to it for some reason he couldn't explain. The lake's surface rippled in the breeze, and as he stared at the overlapping waves, it felt as if they might swallow him whole. Suddenly, a sharp voice called out behind him. "Hey! What are you doing?" Arthur turned and saw a face he never thought he'd lay eyes on again in this lifetime. He stepped back, only then realizing he was already half-leaning against the railing. No wonder Sylvan had assumed he was thinking of doing something drastic. They stood in silence for a full minute before th