Chapter 9 - The First Warning
Spring arrived, bringing life back to the coastal town. Liam enrolled Lily in the small local school. It was a terrifying step, letting her out of his sight, but he knew she needed to be a normal child.
One afternoon, while waiting at the school gates, Elena walked up to him.
"Arthur," she said quietly, her face unusually tense.
"What is it, Elena?" Liam asked, his senses immediately on high alert.
"A man came into the bakery this morning. Wearing a tailored suit. He didn't belong here," Elena whispered, looking around nervously. "He was asking about newcomers. Specifically, a man with a young daughter."
Liam felt the air leave his lungs.
"What did you tell him?"
"Nothing," Elena replied fiercely. "I told him we only have old fishermen and stray cats. But Arthur... he had eyes like a shark. He didn't believe me."
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"Thank you, Elena," Liam said, his voice dropping to a dangerous, terrifyingly calm register. "If you see him again, do not speak to him. Walk the other way."
The bell rang, and Lily came running out of the school gates. Liam picked her up, holding her a little tighter than usual. The horizon was no longer clear. The storm was coming.
