Chapter 1: Prologue
A dark haze flowing in the night, swirling in the cold air as gentle snowflakes fell to the ground. The streets were alive with lots of people, moving like a great river, their faces blurred by the dim glow of flickering streetlights.
"Papa... where are we going?" a young boy asked, his voice small against the murmur of the crowd. He perched on his father's shoulder, his short legs dangling as he absentmindedly licked a lollipop. The sweetness filled his mouth, a comfort in the night's chill.
But his father didn't respond.
The boy lost himself in the simple pleasure of his candy didn't mind not being answered. The world around him was a blur of dark coats and hurried footsteps. The people pressed forward, swallowed by the haze, their bodies blending into the night.
Then, he found himself on the ground.
The cold air bit at his bare arms and legs—he wore only a t-shirt and half pants, unsuited for the weather. He blinked, momentarily disoriented, licking the last of his lollipop as he turned to speak.
"Papa?"
Silence.
He spun around, his small heart beginning to race.
"Papa!" His voice cracked as panic surged through his chest. His father was nowhere to be seen.
The crowd pushed past him, faceless figures lost in their own worlds. He turned desperately, his breath quick and uneven. Then, in the distance, he spotted a tall figure dressed in black, walking away—the same silhouette, the same posture.