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Chapter 5 – The First Slip
It happened during recess.
Wong Lu had been sitting under a tree, idly flicking pebbles at a patch of dirt, when one of them didn't just roll—it floated.
It hung in the air, spinning lazily, then multiplied into dozens, hundreds of pebbles, each orbiting the others in perfect silence. Sunlight refracted off them like tiny planets caught in a private solar system.
Nobody noticed.
Nobody except the tall man leaning on the school fence.
Vic Firth had been delivering a box of donated books to the school—something he did every few months—but this time his attention wasn't on the delivery. His eyes narrowed as he watched the boy under the tree.
Then, as suddenly as it began, the stones dropped all at once, clattering softly into the dirt. Wong Lu stood, brushed himself off, and walked away, as though nothing had happened.
Vic stepped forward. "Hey, kid—"
But the boy was already gone.
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That evening, the Watersons decided to go out for ice cream. Saki and Gami were thrilled, Wong Lu was indifferent, and Nail was just glad for a quiet family night.
They'd barely reached the boardwalk when a familiar voice called out.
"Nail! Been a while."
Nail turned to see Vic Firth approaching, a faint smile on his weathered face.
"Vic? Didn't know you came down here."
"I get around." Vic's eyes, however, weren't on Nail—they were fixed on the boy standing between Saki and Gami. His expression shifted—subtle, but noticeable. Surprise… recognition, even.
Nail saw it. "Something wrong?"
Vic shook his head slightly. "No… just didn't know you had a son, Nail."
Before Nail could respond, Vic crouched slightly, extending his hand. "What's your name, kid?"
Wong Lu just looked at him—calm, silent.
Before he could answer, Elizabeth stepped in with a bright, practiced smile. "Oh, look at the time—Saki, Gami, why don't you take your brother to pick out a flavor?"
The girls didn't hesitate. Each grabbed one of Wong Lu's arms, pulling him toward the shop, leaving Nail and Vic alone.
Elizabeth threw her husband a quick, sharp glance over her shoulder. The message was clear: Don't say a word.
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Vic straightened slowly, his smile gone. "So… mind telling me why I've never seen this boy before? I worked in your orphanage for five years, Nail. I know you. I know your family."
Nail forced a chuckle. "We just… haven't been in touch for a while. A lot can change in a few years."
Vic's gaze lingered on him, heavy with unspoken questions. "Uh-huh."
They parted soon after, but Nail could feel his old friend's eyes on his back the whole walk to the car.
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Later that night, after the kids had gone to bed, Elizabeth cornered Nail in the kitchen.
"You didn't tell him anything, did you?"
Nail shook his head. "No. But he's curious. I can tell."
Elizabeth crossed her arms. "Then we make sure curiosity is all he's left with. Wong Lu's safety depends on it."
Neither of them said it aloud, but they both knew the truth:
Vic Firth was not going to stop asking questions.
And the first slip had already been made.
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