Smith didn't respond to any of Julie's questions. Instead, he quietly dropped her back home, the silence between them lingering like a shadow. Without saying much, he collected Jack from school. As father and son set off for Monte Cristo.
Near Monte Cristo
The car glided smoothly down the highway, surrounded by rolling hills and scattered clouds above. The sun painted golden streaks through the windshield.
"Jack, we need to fill the tank. If you see a fuel station, let me know, alright?" Smith said, glancing at his son in the passenger seat.
"Yes, Dad," Jack replied cheerfully.
They both enjoyed the open road, the soft hum of the engine, and a radio broadcast playing softly in the background. Jack loved listening to broadcasts; he found stories hidden in voices and songs.
A few miles later, Jack suddenly pointed to his right. "Dad, look! A petrol pump!"
Smith turned his head but didn't see anything at first. "Where?"
"Over there," Jack insisted, still pointing.
Smith narrowed his eyes, then smiled as he finally spotted the station. "Ah yes, there it is."
He flicked the right indicator and slowly pulled into the petrol station. Jack rolled down his window, letting the wind carry in the scent of petrol and distant pine.
As they came to a stop, Jack noticed a man sitting on a bench, staring at him. The stranger wore an old, long coat, and his face held an eerie smile — a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Jack, kind-hearted and always drawn to helping those in need, stepped out of the car and approached his father.
"Dad, can I have some money?" he asked.
"What for? Do you want something?" Smith questioned.
"Just give me some, please," Jack insisted, exhaling.
"Alright, take this. But don't spend it on junk. We're having dinner at the hotel later."
"Okay, Dad. Don't worry."
Jack took the money and jogged toward the man. He gently placed the notes beside him and offered a friendly smile. The man didn't say a word, just stared at Jack for a long moment before slowly breaking into a grin — a wide, almost unnatural smile, like he hadn't smiled in years.
Jack felt a chill run down his spine. He turned to head back toward the car. When he looked over his shoulder one last time, the bench was empty. The man had vanished.
"Dad, did you see the man sitting on that bench?" he asked as he got in the car.
"No, I didn't see anyone. Why? Did someone bother you?" Smith asked, concerned.
"No, nothing," Jack murmured, looking out the window as they pulled back onto the road.
As the journey continued, Jack remained deep in thought, haunted by the stranger's smile. The road gradually became surrounded by dense forest, mist hanging low and creeping across the asphalt.
"Dad, look how foggy it is... It's beautiful," Jack whispered, lowering his window to feel the cold breeze.
While admiring the view, he suddenly caught sight of a figure in the mist. Just a fleeting shape — hard to tell if it was real or just the fog playing tricks.
"Dad... did you see someone just now?"
Smith glanced around. "No. I didn't see anyone. I think you're tired, son. Try to get some rest."
He adjusted Jack's seat so he could lie back. Jack soon drifted into sleep, the rhythm of the car and the soft radio lulling him.
Later, as they neared the village, Smith called the local agent.
"Sir, please wait at the entrance. I'll be there in ten minutes," he said.
"Alright sir, but do be quick — I have other work to attend to," replied the agent.
Soon, they passed a wooden sign at the village entrance:
"Welcome to Our City. Stay Safe and Enjoy."
Children were returning from school, a father held his daughter's hand as they entered their home, and a man with a scooter, round glasses, and a thick moustache pulled up beside them.
"Good evening, sir. This is Robert," he introduced himself with a friendly smile.
"Good evening. Nice to meet you," replied Smith.
At that moment, Jack woke up in the backseat.
"Dad, are we here?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.
Robert smiled. "Is he your son?"
"Yes," Smith said proudly.
Jack got out and greeted Robert politely.
"Good evening, sir."
"Very good evening, young man. You're quite the gentleman," Robert chuckled.
While Smith and Robert discussed the property, Jack looked around in awe. Trees lined the streets, students walked home, the town felt peaceful.
"Mr. Agent, is there a park nearby?" Jack asked eagerly.
Robert smiled warmly. "I knew you'd ask that. There are two parks — one in the town center, and one on the outskirts."
Smith interjected. "Can we see the house now? I'm running late and also need to visit the school."
"Of course. Follow me. Actually, it's better if I join you in the car. My scooter's quite old and slow," Robert laughed.
Smith paused for a moment.
"No problem. Please, come along."
Jack sat in the back while Robert joined Smith in the front. They soon reached a house with a tall black gate.
"This is the one," said Robert, pointing.
Children playing nearby smiled at Jack, but quickly scattered when they saw the family entering the house.
"It's a one-story home with three bedrooms upstairs, a dining hall, and a kitchen," Robert explained.
Smith was pleased. He took out his phone to video-call his wife, Julie, but found no network.
"Why isn't there any signal here?" he asked.
"Sometimes it takes a while," Robert said with a laugh.
Eventually, the call connected. Julie and their daughter Laura appeared on screen.
"Which room is mine?" Laura asked immediately.
"We'll decide after we move in," Julie said playfully.
"Take some pictures and come home soon," she added.
"I still need to visit the school," Smith replied, ending the call.
"Alright, let's go to the school," Smith said.
At the School Gate
"Sir, are you here for the admission?" asks the security guard."Yes," replies Smith."Don't be surprised, sir. I had informed him earlier," says Robert.The security guard opens the gate and lets them in.
"Wow! This school is bigger than mine," exclaims Jack, amazed by the gardens and greenery in the school."Really? Then it will be great for you to learn here," says Robert again."Come, sir. This way—we'll go meet the principal, or else she might leave," says Robert, showing the way.
At the Principal's Office
"Good afternoon, Principal Sir," says Robert, knocking and entering.The principal, working on his laptop, responds, "Good afternoon, Robert."Smith follows behind Robert. The principal looks up at the door."Oh, here they are. Good afternoon, sir," he says, approaching Smith to greet him.
"Good afternoon, sir," both Smith and Jack greet together.
The principal looks at Jack, puts his hand in his pocket, walks back to the table, opens a drawer, and pulls out a toffee.He offers it to Jack. Jack looks at his father, unsure."Take it and say thank you," says Smith."Thank you," says Jack to the principal with a sweet smile.
"Have a seat, sir," the principal says, gesturing toward the desk.Jack curiously looks around the office—it's large and impressive. Smith and Jack sit on the chairs while Robert remains standing."Please sit, Robert," says the principal politely.
"First, let me introduce myself. My name is Santa, and I've been the principal of this school for one year," he says."Now it's your turn, boy," he says, smiling at Jack."My name is Jack, and I'm studying in 4th standard," Jack replies."How about the admission?" the principal asks.
"First, I would like to see the school. Then I'll decide, sir," says Smith."Why not? Sure. Come, follow me," says the principal.Smith, Jack, and Robert follow him through the school.
Jack and his father are both impressed, especially Jack, who is thrilled to see the big playground.The principal explains that there are drawing classes twice a week, and Saturdays are holidays with playtime.The principal asks again, "Which class are you in?""He is in 2nd class, and my daughter is in 6th standard," Smith replies."Oh, so you have a daughter too? Why didn't you bring her?" the principal asks."She will come here soon," says Smith."Okay, good," says the principal, as they walk back to the admission office.
"How was our school, Jack?" asks the principal."It is good," replies Jack.
"Please fill out this admission form and bring passport-size photos along with the other documents mentioned in the form," says the principal."Sure, sir," replies Smith.
Smith and Jack wave goodbye to the principal and leave the office, but Robert stays behind.
"Sir, please wait in the corridor. I'll be there in a minute," says Robert."Okay, sure," replies Smith and walks out.
Later, Robert comes out of the office, and the three of them leave the school and drive to the entrance of the village.
"Here we are, sir. That concludes the tour," Robert said with a grin.
"Thanks for everything," Smith replied warmly.
"Come have dinner with us," Robert offered.
"Thank you, but my wife's waiting. Maybe next time."
Jack waved goodbye enthusiastically.
"Take care, Jack," Robert smiled.
As the car drove away into the mist, Jack leaned out, waving until Robert was just a shadow in the fog.
On the way back…
"Let's stop somewhere for dinner. It's already 7 PM. You must be hungry," Smith said.
"Yes, Dad. Starving!" Jack replied.
They found a small, cozy restaurant and enjoyed a hearty meal, packing some extra for home.
Back at home…
Outside the house, Smith stretched. "They must be tired too," he said, ringing the bell.
Laura opened the door. "Good evening, Dad! How was your day?"
"It was good. I brought food!"
She rushed the packet to her mom in the kitchen.
"Mom, Dad brought dinner. Let's eat — I'm starving!"
Julie peeked out, wiping her hands. "Looks like you're wiped out, dear," she said to Smith, who had collapsed on the sofa.
"Too full. Can't move," he groaned.
"At least have a drink," Julie insisted.
"Even I'm tired from all the packing," she added.
"You already started packing?" Smith asked.
"Yes! Now tell us — how was the house? The school? The village?" Laura asked excitedly.
"House — awesome. Village — green and peaceful," Smith replied.
"Mom! There are two parks! And art classes!" Jack exclaimed.
Julie leaned toward Smith, whispering, "Sounds expensive."
"Yep," Smith chuckled.
At the dinner table…
"Did you call the packers and movers?" Julie asked.
"Yes. My boss gave me a contact. I'll message them now."
Smith took out his phone and typed:
Hello sir,
This is Smith. My boss gave me your number. I'm moving to another village. Will you handle both packing and moving? Please call or message back tomorrow. Thank you.
Two minutes later, his phone buzzed.
Dear Sir,
Yes, we provide full service. Our representative will visit tomorrow to discuss everything, including payment.
Thank you.
"Tomorrow, someone from the company is coming," Smith said.
"You two will help with packing, right?" Julie asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Of course. We're the men of the house, right Jack?"
"Yes, Dad!"
"Alright, not tonight. Tomorrow we'll see how much help you really are," Julie teased.
"I'm off to bed," Jack yawned. "Sis, you coming?"
"Yes, coming!" Laura replied, following him.
The lights went off. The house fell into a calm, sleepy silence.
Morning: 6:30 AM
Smith opened his eyes to a quiet house and a new day awaiting...