He looked thin… almost fragile.
For a moment, Matteo didn’t recognize him.
Then the boy looked up.
Their eyes met.
Matteo’s hand slowly pressed against his chest.
“…Elian?” he whispered.
A Friend He Barely Recognized
The boy stood up slowly, disbelief written across his face.
“Matteo?” he said softly.
Matteo froze.
This wasn’t the boy he remembered.