Peeking out from behind your mother’s legs, you stared at the two other adults chatting pleasantly with her. Noticing you, Ivansiel patted your head, gently pushing you away.

“Go play with Zedkah, okay? Mommy’s having a nice chat with her friends.”

Pouting, you stubbornly clung to her, glancing around for this so-called ‘Zedkah’. Not seeing anyone, you looked back up at your mother, tugging at her skirt. When it was clear that she wasn’t going to give you anymore attention, you let go of her with a sigh. Turning around, you wandered off, deciding to look for something else to entertain you.

Stumbling into the gardens, your gaze caught on a butterfly. Smiling, you soon gave chase before the sound of crying reached your ears.

Curled up behind a bush, Zedkah’s head was buried in between his knees as he sobbed quietly to himself.

Brought by his mother and father to an unfamiliar estate to meet a friend of theirs, he had clung tightly to them before getting distracted by a butterfly. Chasing after the butterfly, he ran through the estate’s halls before arriving in the garden. Hands outstretched, he‘d managed to grab the butterfly, a bright smile breaking out over his face. Excited, he turned around to show off the butterfly to his parents, his smile immediately falling when he was met with empty air. Looking around the garden for his parents, Zedkah felt his eyes welling up with tears each time he looked around a bush and didn’t see anyone familiar.

Hands bunching up into tight fists, he let the butterfly go, frowning at the ground. Crouching down next to a bush, he made himself as small as possible before beginning to cry.

“Why are you crying?”

At the sound, Zedkah’s tears stopped as he looked up, hoping to see his parents. When all he saw was you standing in front of him and looking confused, he hiccuped before his crying returned full force.

“Mom and dad...are…lost…” Rubbing at his face to try and get rid of his tears, he quickly gave up, burying his face into his knees again, and curling in on himself.