Chapter 16
The area of the park Adam had chosen was secluded.
It was a small grassy clearing surrounded by dense trees.
The grass was long and untamed. Not many people came here. It was the only place he could think of where he wouldn’t be easily followed. It was his temporary safe zone.
As they reached the clearing Adam took off his backpack. He set it on the ground.
He had forgotten he was even wearing it.
Sofia watched him. Her body was tense with fear.
She wondered what he was going to do to her.
Every terrible possibility raced through her mind. She stood silently in a corner of the clearing trying to make herself as small as possible as if she could disappear into the shadows.
Adam saw her reaction. He saw the way she was trying to shrink away from him.
He knew she was thinking the worst. He let out a heavy sigh. His own problems were immense but this girl’s silent terror was something he couldn’t ignore.
"I’m not going to do anything to you," he said. His voice was softer than before a conscious effort to sound non-threatening. "Why are you acting like I’m some kind of villain?"
Sofia didn’t answer. Her fear kept her silent. Her throat was tight her tongue a leaden weight in her mouth.