33

For the third time tonight, you come to a sudden halt—but as you turn your head, you can't seem to find a source for the voice. After a moment, however, you glance over toward the other side of the street, and you notice a figure standing in the glow of a streetlamp.

"Sorry—it is you, right? Huknock?"

"Y-yeah?"

They seem to hesitate—but then, putting their hands in their pockets, they step off the sidewalk and cross the road, stopping just a few yards in front of you. Now that their features aren't cast in shadow, you can make out brown hair hanging just above their shoulders; pursed, somewhat chapped lips; and slightly wary eyes. From what you can tell, they seem to be just about the same age as you.

Oh.

"Tobias?"

He takes a short step forwards, and what little light there is lands on his face. The more you look at him (though it's only in the space of a second), the more you think he does look a little like the kid you sort of remember. But he's older, of course, and quite a bit taller. He doesn't quite smile as he approaches; he just looks at you for a few more moments, seeming surprised.

"How'd you know to call me that?" he asks, pushing some hair behind his ear.

"Uh—oh, I just…ran into your parents."

He looks even more surprised then—but he nods, shifting from foot to foot.

"It's weird—I thought I saw someone moving around in there earlier." He cocks his head towards your house. "But I thought I just imagined it because no one's been in that house for so long. Then I looked outside just now, and I saw you coming down the street—and I wasn't sure if it was really you, but I just figured that if it was you, it'd be…you know, cool, to see you again."

He gives a little, uncertain laugh, smiling for the first time. Or at least you think he is; it's still pretty dark.

"You remember me, right?" he asks, sweeping more hair out of his eyes. "I mean, we used to hang out all the time."