Chapter 133

It caught me off guard that this time Sebastian wanted to go for a walk with me instead of going out with Hilda. It was going to be sunset very soon, but Mirko was desperate for a walk, so I wrapped Sasha up a little, put a change of clothes and something to eat in a backpack, and we headed into the thicket flanked by Laika. Changing my hair felt great and helped me relax; it was good to be able to stretch my muscles and distract my mind listening to my son talk about Academy exercises or my daughter babble songs. At least for a while, I was able to disconnect and feel the forest through my nose and the pads of my feet in all its cold fullness. Soon the leaves of many trees would fall; we would soon have the first snowfall. In two more months we would be remembering another anniversary.

Anyway, of course that hasty departure had a purpose. I figured Sebastian wanted to talk to me about something, but I noticed he was quiet, distant. My fellow man waited for Mirko and his dog t