312:Alexander Trouble

While Evan was talking with Suri, Maria finally caught up with Sam and tagged him with a playful smack on the arm. Her triumphant laughter echoed down the beach as Sam stumbled, trying to catch his breath amidst the hilarity.

The group continued to bask in the sun, enjoying the warmth and companionship that made even the heaviest of burdens feel light, if only for a moment. The worries of the outside world seemed to drift away, replaced by the carefree happiness of their sunlit paradise.

__________

Nearby, Evan's father, Roy, was gleefully playing with technology. 

His laughter floated back to the group, a carefree sound that matched the idyllic setting.

Yet, Roy's laughter trailed off as he looked around, his brow furrowing with growing bewilderment. 

His gaze swept across the stretch of the beach where an array of high-tech gadgets lay scattered among the sand and sunbathers like artifacts from a sci-fi film.