“Mama, you’re walking too fast. I’m tired.”

The little girl’s protest made the young mother stop for a moment.

She glanced behind her...

the strange man was gone.

A quiet sigh of relief.

She smiled at her daughter,

and started walking again, a bit slower this time.

From nearby, she could hear people talking.

“Poor Alfred. Lost one eye…”

A dry, careless chuckle.

“They say he looks like a monster now. Got a nasty scar on his face.”

The man’s face came back to her.

Her jaw clenched.

She held her daughter’s hand a little tighter.

“Stay away from strangers, Jenna.”

The girl frowned, confused.

Her face was so innocent, so sweet.

“Oh my gosh ... your granddaughter is adorable! Lucky you!”

Two young women, smiling as they passed.

The mother turned toward them.

Granddaughter?

Her eyes lost a bit of their light.