The old man was halfway through his meal when the boy dropped to his knees in front of him.

Word of what happened at the café spread through the small European town like wildfire. By evening, local news crews and curious onlookers began lingering near the small boarding house where Thomas had taken Leo and baby Gabriel.

Thomas had insisted on giving the children a safe place to stay. For the first time in years, his spacious apartment felt alive. He watched Leo greedily eat a warm bowl of soup, while Gabriel slept peacefully in a makeshift crib made from a soft basket lined with clean blankets.

“Where did you come from, Leo?” Thomas asked, sitting across from the boy in a comfortable armchair—standing and walking short distances with ease now, though still in awe of his own body.

“A small village near the mountains,” Leo replied between bites. “People there were afraid of Gabriel. When he healed a sick dog, some said it was magic. Others were scared. When Mom died, I knew I had to take him away before people tried to use him.”

Thomas nodded solemnly. He understood human nature all too well. Society had a habit of either worshipping or destroying things it couldn't comprehend.

“You did the right thing, son,” Thomas said quietly. “You protected your brother. But now, people here are asking questions. They saw me stand up today. They’ll want answers.”