25

Just as you're about to pass by, however, the person with red hair stands up unexpectedly—and immediately yelps upon catching sight of you, dropping their gardening tools and a handful of weeds.

In that slightly startled moment, you find yourself meeting the eyes of a guy about your age—who looks a bit shocked to have come face-to-face with you over his garden wall.

Both of you just stand there for a while before it hits you that you should explain why you're looking into his yard.

"Hi, um—sorry, but I think you're my new next-door neighbor?" You point towards your house. "I just moved in yesterday."

Your neighbor gasps, suddenly starting to brush dirt off his hands.

"Wow, I thought that place was abandoned until I saw a light on last night! Uh…I mean, it's—welcome to the neighborhood!"

He puts out a hand, but when he notices you carrying two heavy bags, he hesitates. Before you can put one of the bags down, he's already stuck both hands in his pockets. Instead of a handshake, he gives you a slightly nervous smile.

"Oh, and—my name's Robin," he adds quickly.

"I'm Huknock," you tell him in return, and he smiles a little more easily.

"So—how's your first day in town so far?" he asks.

"Um…not bad," you mumble, trying not to think about the incident with the sculpture.

Unfortunately, Robin's thoughts seem to already be going in that direction.

"You picked a dramatic time to move in," he says, still trying to wipe some more dirt off his hands. "Did you hear about what happened in the park? Why would somebody do that for no reason?"

He sighs and unties the bandanna keeping the hair out of his eyes. He manages to shake most of it out of the way before adding:

"Still, I guess it could be worse. At least our houses aren't about to be torn down," he sighs. You suddenly feel a lump come to your throat. "Although—I know that business guy said they were only planning on getting rid of abandoned buildings, but half of those are some of the prettiest buildings in town. And some of the oldest, too. Wouldn't it be better to keep them how they are? You might as well just build a whole new town otherwise."