24. Harboring Hope

[Gabriel's POV]

The morning sun made Willowvale look all shiny and golden as I headed to the nearby grocery store. My dad's old place needed some serious restocking after I cleaned it up earlier. Birds were chirping and there was a nice smell of flowers in the air, which helped me relax a bit.

I walked into the store and went through the aisles, looking for snacks to fill up the empty fridge. I really wanted to buy a proper meal, but I hesitated for a moment before giving in. I spent my last few dollars on a warm plate of food. It was a small treat, a brief break from all the things bothering me.

While I was enjoying my unexpected feast, I noticed someone entering the store from the corner of my eye. I looked up, but they were looking in a different direction, so I couldn't see their face clearly. They didn't wait to be served and just walked ahead, which was kind of unusual and caught my attention.

I went back to eating, but then I heard a voice calling my name. "Gabriel?" I recogniz