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.