ut mentally and physically, so the idea of staying cooped up in his apartment while Maya played in the yard was unbearab

droom so that she could sleep comfortably until they could find her proper bedding and furniture. It was already late in the evening when they arrived in their new house, but neither of them could wait

into her ear as he pulled the covers up aroun

ments, Maya was fast asleep in his arms

hadn't stirred at all since he tucked her in; instead she remained soundly sleeping, hugging him tightly to her c

alized that it wasn't a dream after all; th

t his previous residence – although it didn't include a pool and tennis court like the last one did. Still, it served its purpose quite nicely. And despite Daniel's initial concerns, it turned out that there were plenty of families living nearby; many children

r glass from the faucet. As he drank his beverage slowly, he glanced out of the window at the beautiful green lawns beyond the patio fence. The sun was barely rising over the horizon, illuminating the bright colors of the grass with the cool shade cast by the towering pines. He had alwa

him staring at them nonetheless. His heart raced within seconds; he couldn't be

hey lived next door! Then what are the chances? I don't

until something caught his attention – a small shadow passing in the distance. A flash of silver hair flew throug

od, it'

b the binoculars ha

as he dared to whisper. "Are you t

as no r

an answered the door and spoke with her husband for a moment. Soon, the man left to go somewhere private with her. Daniel assumed that they were probably having an intimate conv

ng him? Were they somehow connected to his life before? What did the

igure emerged from

as h

imbed up onto the porch and approached his home – carrying a bundle of clothing u

at mea

have tak

have known about them?!

make sure that she was still sleeping. For some reason he didn't understand, he couldn't help feeling suspicious of their behavior – especially considering how strange they acted whenever they encountered one another while taking care of their chil

hould

intest sound coming from out

ay in Orlando, the clouds were dark and threatening, and it looked like it might rain any minute now. The lightning flashed in the distance, illuminating the entire street in brillian

ked about something. When the thunder struck once more, they both stopped moving for a brief second before continuing on as if nothing had happened. It was eerie seeing them like that. Da

able and dialed the number of the house next door. The ringing soun

nded immediately, and he smil

oor," he said casually, unsure of how to a

"I've never met you, so you'll h

he told her. "You'r

a few seconds be

mumbled. "Did you say my fathe

course she knows that we moved away six years ago! But why would that make

aken or that it wasn't too late for him to correct himself. "We used

ng anything at all. It felt like a lifetime until eventually she regained control of h