“Mommy, wh-where's Mommy? Is something terrible going to happen to her?" Melon sobbed, his breath hitching with distress.

Mitchel promptly scooped him up, offering solace.

"No, nothing will.

Your Mommy will return, I promise. Be a good lad, give Uncle a promise with your pinky, and Mommy will come back." Mitchel tenderly ruffled the child's hair, extending his little finger.

As Melon dabbed his tears away, he extended his tiny hand to link pinkies with Mitchel's. Nonetheless, fear and anxiety lingered heavily in his heart, his tears continuing to flow.