You knelt on the edge of the sidewalk, holding the little girl tightly in your arms. Her tiny frame trembled slightly, still in shock after nearly running into traffic while chasing a cat.

"You're okay now… it's alright," you whispered gently, brushing strands of hair from her tear-streaked cheeks.

She clung to your coat with her small hands, eyes wide but slowly calming in your embrace.

A few seconds later, hurried footsteps approached from behind. A man's voice cut through the air, low and urgent.

"Daneen!"

You turned around, still kneeling. A tall man came into view—slightly out of breath, clearly panicked.

The little girl lit up at the sight. “Daddy!”

The man—Daffin—rushed over and immediately knelt beside the two of you, his eyes scanning Daneen for injuries before shifting toward you.

“What happened?” he asked, voice tense but grateful.