Chapter 23

As they walked down the quiet street, the occasional flickering of streetlights cast long shadows along the pavement. Noelle glanced at the boy beside her. His small hands were stuffed deep into the sleeves of her cardigan as he trudged forward in silence. She was about to ask him if they were close to his house when the low hum of approaching engines caught her attention.

Suddenly, a convoy of sleek black cars rounded the corner. Their headlights illuminated the street with an eerie glow which somehow made Noelle’s heart leap out of her chest. Noelle instinctively reached for the boy’s hand, sensing something off. Before she could react further, the lead car came to a sharp stop right in front of them, followed immediately by the others. The doors swung open almost in unison, and several men in black suits stepped out with urgency.

Noelle felt the boy stiffen beside her. His small fingers curled into the fabric of her cardigan, but his face remained unreadable.