Lost worlds

Sam was unconscious in a hospital bed, deep in a coma. His wife stood outside the room, tears streaming down her face as she cried.

Meanwhile, at Leo's house, he was exercising outdoors in the backyard on that sunny Sunday morning. Clad in athletic shorts and a t-shirt, Leo decided to go for a jog around the neighborhood. As he stretched his muscular legs, he spotted Sophia sitting alone on a patio bench, a somber look on her pretty face. Leo grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat from his brow and approached her.

"Are you still feeling sad about your dad's death?" he asked gently.

Sophia slowly nodded, not meeting his concerned gaze. "Yes," she said in a soft, mournful voice.

"How about coming for a jog with me?" Leo offered. "Getting some exercise and fresh air might help take your mind off the painful thoughts, at least for a little while."

Sophia considered this for a moment, then rose from the bench. "Okay, let me go change into some workout clothes."

She disappeared inside the house, returning a few minutes later wearing a loose t-shirt, athletic shorts, and running shoes. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail.

"Ready?" Leo asked with an encouraging smile.

Sophia managed a small smile back and gave a determined nod. The two set off together at an easy jogging pace.

After about a mile, they reached the local park. Leo led Sophia over to a grassy area, where they stopped to do some warm-up stretches side-by-side on the damp grass. As they moved their limbs and took deep, controlled breaths, Sophia felt her anxiety and grief slowly dissipating, replaced by a sense of calm and presence.

"Leo, you truly are one of the kindest, most caring people I've ever met," Sophia said, looking at him with appreciation shining in her eyes. "I've never known anyone with as good and generous a heart as yours."

Leo's cheeks reddened bashfully at the sincere compliment, but before he could respond, the shrill ringing of Sophia's phone interrupted them. She pulled it out and glanced at the screen.

"It's my mom," she told Leo, then answered with a concerned, "Hello?"

As Sophia listened, her expression turned to one of shock and worry. Leo watched her anxiously.

"I have to go home right now," Sophia told him as she ended the call. "My mom sounded really upset about something."

Without another word, Leo fell into step beside her and they jogged back toward Sophia's house at a brisk pace. When they arrived, Sophia's mother pulled her into a fierce hug as soon as she opened the door.

"Thank goodness you're here!" she exclaimed, then smiled at Leo over Sophia's shoulder. "And thank you for being with her, Leo. You really are a wonderful friend to my little girl."

"Of course, it's my pleasure," Leo responded easily, touched by her words. "Sophia is like a sister to me."

Sophia gently pulled away from her mother's embrace, searching her face. "Mom, what's going on? Why did you need me home so urgently?"

Sophia's mother then turned to her daughter with a grave expression. "Sophia, do you remember your dad's police partner, Uncle Sam?"

Sophia nodded slowly. "Yes, the man who came to tell us about Dad's death."

"Exactly," her mother confirmed. "Well, according to the news, Sam was beaten and wounded by an unknown gang. Maybe it was the same gang that killed your father."

Sophia looked stricken as realization hit her like a punch to the gut. Her mother continued, "We should go visit him at the hospital. Get ready, we'll leave in an hour." She looked at Leo. "Would you like to come with us?"

Leo met Sophia's eyes, seeing the pain and fear there. "Of course, I'll come," he said firmly.

Sophia went with Leo back to his house to get ready. There, she met Jared, Leo's butler, for the first time.

"I don't think I saw you the last time I was here," Sophia commented.

Jared smiled politely. "I was out running errands, miss. It's a pleasure to meet you." He gave Leo a teasing look. "So you've brought a lovely young lady over."

Leo rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "She came over herself, not that it's any of your business."

"Leo's a great guy," Sophia said, making Leo blush slightly.

They sat together on a patio, sipping juice that Jared brought them. As they talked and joked around, Sophia's previous sadness resurfaced as she looked up at Leo with sorrowful eyes.

"Leo, there's something I don't understand," she said haltingly. "Why do good people so often die young, before their time? And why is there so much cruelty and violence in this world from gangs and criminals?"

Leo sighed heavily, considering her deep questions. "Those are some of the biggest and hardest questions in life, Sophia. The truth is, there's no simple answer. Good people suffering is one of the greatest injustices and tragedies we face. As for the violence and crime, I think it comes from many different factors combined - poverty, lack of education and opportunities, cycles of abuse being passed down, greed, untreated mental illness, and more. Humans have an incredible capacity for both good and evil inside them leo said we can make the world a better place ourselves."

After about 20 minutes, Leo realized they needed to get ready to go see Sam at the hospital soon. "Sophia, you should go get ready. We'll need to leave for the hospital before too long."

Sophia seemed to shake herself from her contemplative trance. "You're right, I'll go get changed."

At her house, Sophia showered and put on fresh clothes. Leo did the same at his place. When they reconvened at Sophia's home, her mother was also ready to depart.

"Should we call an Uber?" Sophia's mother asked.

Leo shook his head. "No need." He led them to his garage where a sleek, black Porsche sat. Sophia's jaw dropped in shock.

"Leo...is this your car?" she asked slowly, eyeing the luxurious vehicle with disbelief.

Leo chuckled at her stunned expression. "It was a birthday gift from my parents for my 17th birthday."

"Whose parents?" Sophia's mother asked, just as stunned.

Leo glanced between the two gobsmacked women and revealed, "My parents are Ramsey and Elizabeth Balsey...of Balsey Corporation."

Sophia and her mother's mouths fell open in unison. "The Balsey Corporation?" they exclaimed together. "As in, the multi-billion dollar company?"

Leo just shrugged nonchalantly. "My parents don't spend much time here. My mom is in Italy right now, actually."

Still reeling from this revelation about Leo's ultra-wealthy background, Sophia and her mother climbed into the Porsche. Leo started the engine, and they set off toward the hospital to see Sam.