Minutes seemed to stretch into eternity, each second heavy with dread. I couldn’t stop the flood of questions rising within me—who would want to hurt us? And why? More pressing was the question of how my father could possibly be alive. He had been a rock in my life until the day he died. Or, I had thought he died.I watched as the steady stream of people passed by, oblivious to the turmoil encapsulating my world. The old woman remained by my side, a silent sentinel, her presence oddly comforting despite the chaos unraveling around us.

Finally, a distant figure emerged from the mist at the end of the street, moving with a familiar, purposeful stride. My heart leapt, battling between hope and an ingrained skepticism. As he drew closer, the truth became undeniable. It was him—my father, looking older, wearier, but alive.Tears blurred my vision as he rushed towards us, arms outstretched. “Natalie!” he called, voice breaking with emotion. I stood, nearly stumbling in my haste to close the distance. He enveloped us in a fierce embrace, the smell of his jacket so achingly familiar and comforting.“I can’t believe it,” I sobbed into his shoulder. “How is this possible?”

He pulled back slightly, his eyes scanning mine with a mixture of love and regret. “There’s so much to tell you, but right now we need to get to safety. I promise, I’ll explain everything.”

The old woman nodded at us, her eyes gleaming with a wisdom and sadness that hinted at untold stories of her own. “Go,” she urged. “I’ll make sure no one follows.”

“Thank you,” my father said, his voice thick with gratitude. He took my hand, and we hurried away from the building, the woman’s figure fading back into the mist.

In the safety of a bustling café a few blocks away, we sat in a secluded booth. My father wrapped an arm protectively around both of us, his gaze never leaving the door. “There’s a lot you need to know,” he began, voice low but steady. “Starting with why I had to disappear, and who’s after you.”

As he spoke, the world outside carried on as usual, unaware of the extraordinary events unfolding in our small corner. My life, it seemed, was just beginning to uncover secrets buried deep, and with them, a new sense of purpose and protection for Mikey and me.

In that moment, amidst the chaos and confusion, I knew one thing for certain: I had my father back, and together, we would face whatever came next.