SILVER-HAIRED MAN

WHEN Astrid heard the little boy in his arms called the silver-haired man rushing towards them 'uncle', he suddenly had a bad premonition in his heart.  The man didn't glance at him and just took Nicol into his arms.

"Nikki, are you okay?  Where does it hurt?  Tell Uncle, okay?" he asked, full of undisguised worry. 

"Uncle, I'm okay.  I'm not hurt," Nicol said, assuring his uncle.

But the uncle seemed to not hear that and just proceeded on blaming himself.  "It's my fault.  I was careless.  I shouldn't have left you alone.  What should I do if something had happened to you?  I could never forgive myself."