Part 20 # The Beginning of the Plan

Bugh!

A basketball nearly hit Arren's head, but luckily, Leon quickly deflected it, though he ended up with a minor muscle injury in his arm. Leon winced in pain, but he didn't show it explicitly. Arren sensed that something was amiss with his behavior.

"Sir, Ma'am, please forgive us. Son, apologize to this man," a woman who seemed to be of similar age to Leon said.

"I'm sorry, sir," a young boy, who had unintentionally thrown the basketball toward Arren and Leon, spoke up. The boy had been trying to show off his basketball skills but had thrown it recklessly.

"Mom already told you, play on the court, not the street!" his mother scolded, glancing at her son.

"Yes, Mom," replied the boy, who looked to be around eight, with a dejected expression.

"It's alright. Just be careful next time," Leon said, not wanting to make a big deal of the incident with the two strangers.

Arren briefly glanced at Leon, then checked her hand, which looked reddened.

"Your hand is red; I'll get you an ice pack