Ethan spots his cousin, who is busy chatting with guests while cradling the one-year-old birthday boy in his arms.
"Joseph!!" Ethan calls out.
Joseph's face lights up as he spots them, and he rushes over, beaming. "Hi! How are you guys?"
"Great! Everything is so beautiful."
"Where's Alice?"
"She couldn't get off from work, but she sent her apologies and wishes," Ethan explains, reaching out to the little birthday boy, Mason. However, Mason quickly turns away, overwhelmed by the crowd and noise.
"Oh! I think he's tired," Joseph observes.
"Don't worry! Babies can be like this in a crowd," Ethan reassures him.
"You all enjoy yourselves!" Joseph says as he excuses himself to mingle with other guests.
Everything looks delightful, and Alain is bursting with excitement to try the rides.
"Dad, come on! I wanna play..." he urges eagerly.
"Okay, come on! Where do you want to go first?" Ethan asks.
"There!" Alain points into the crowd, not revealing what caught his attention. He grabs Ethan's hand and runs toward a ride.
The area is filled with tents and attractions, creating a magical atmosphere, especially for children. Alain leaps onto a ride, his joy palpable as he plays with other kids. The innocence of children allows them to forge friendships effortlessly. As Alain dashes from stall to stall, Ethan keeps a watchful eye on him, mindful that Alain is still just six years old.
Alain suddenly spots a peculiar tent labeled "Witches Chamber." The creepy yet intriguing decor captivates him, and he begs his father to let him enter.
"Dad! Let's go inside!"
"Why do you want to go in there?" Ethan questions, concern creeping into his voice.
"Please, Dad! Please!" Alain pleads with wide, innocent eyes.
Though Ethan hesitates, fearing the creepy atmosphere, he can't resist his son's earnestness. After all, it's just a birthday party; how bad could it be?
"Okay, let's go!" he concedes, and they step inside the tent.
Inside, the ambiance is even creepier, resembling an ancient house with antique furnishings and incense filling the air with a mystical aroma. A woman, the witch Luna Halfmoon, sits at the center of the room, her long, loose red gown flowing around her. She opens her eyes, which sparkle with wisdom, and greets them with a warm smile.
"Welcome, strangers! Welcome to my lair. I am Luna Halfmoon. I can reveal your past, present, and future. But you can only know one thing! What do you wish to know?"
"Hello! I'm Alain..." the boy stammers.
"Come, sit, child," she beckons.
Alain takes a seat in front of Luna, who asks him to show her his hand. With a gentle grip, she examines his palm and gazes into his eyes.
"Your eyes, they tell a story, and your palm defines it. Ask me what you want to know!"
"Future!" Alain proclaims, his excitement growing.
Ethan watches, intrigued, as Alain engages with Luna. She seems to possess a rare talent.
"Separation. Your future holds separation. You will be parted from what you hold dear. I see pain—not the loss of a thing, but of someone. You will loose someone you love," Luna tells Alain, her gaze shifting to Ethan. "And there is nothing you can do about it." She turns back to Alain, whose smile has vanished, replaced by fear. "Do you want to know who?"
Suddenly, Alain bolts out of the tent, fear propelling him forward. "ALIAN!! WAIT!!" Ethan shouts as he follows, but Luna stops him.
"Ethan!" she calls.
"How do you know my name?" he demands, confusion washing over him.
"Hmm... I am a witch. I know many things," she replies cryptically.
"You're good at this, but why would you say something so distressing to a child?" Ethan challenges, his protective instincts kicking in.
"I didn't lie. He asked a question, and I answered,"
"I don't believe in any of this,"
"There are many things we don't believe, yet they exist," she asserts.
"I need to check on my child."
"Wait! Don't you want to know your future?"
"No, I don't want to." Ethan insists.
"What harm could it do? Anyways, You just said. You don't believe. I might have answers that you have been looking for."
"I don't want to know any answers," he replies firmly.
"You do. I can see it in your eyes. You have many questions but don't know where to start. Sit; I can help you find the right questions to ask,"
Despite his better judgment, Ethan finds himself sitting down in front of Luna. She is very intimidating or else he also feels the same from inside.
She takes his palm in hers, looking deep into his eyes. "Your eyes are so deep; I can see your soul within. Your soul is searching for something, someone dear. But it fears that if it finds this thing, it will all begin again. Your soul is scared of discovering... Love."
"I don't think so. I'm already married,"
"Hmm... Your life is not simply the result of your decisions in this life. It is intertwined through many lives. You are connected to someone, and that person is near you. You fear that past will repeat itself and there will be nothing you can do to prevent it. You are terrified, Noah!" Luna declares.
"What? What did you just say?"
"What?"
"The name! Noah! Who is he?"
"You really want to know?" Luna smiles knowingly, as if she holds a profound secret.
"No! You know what? You've said enough nonsense. I'm leaving,"
"You can run from me, but not from your destiny." she calls after him, but he ignores her, rushing out of the tent.
Ethan scans the area for Alain and spots him playing with other children, his earlier fear seemingly forgotten. The innocence of children allows them to move on quickly from frightful moments. He also notices his mother, Martha, standing alone in the crowd, looking lost in her thoughts.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Ethan asks as he approaches her.
Martha snaps back to reality, her expression shifting as she looks at her son. "Oh, nothing, honey!"
"Why are you standing here by yourself?"
"No reason! What are you doing here?"
"Nothing much. Let's head home; it's getting late," he suggests.
"Yes, we should go home," she agrees.