The sun dipped low on the horizon, painting long shadows across the parking lot as I stood there, reeling from the strange events. The toddler, still clutching my hand with a grip surprisingly firm for someone so small, sniffled and rubbed his eyes. The mall cop, equally perplexed, scratched his head.
“Did you see that?” he asked, his voice barely concealing his disbelief. I nodded, unable to tear my eyes away from the screen, where the image looped ominously. Each cycle replayed the same inexplicable scene: the child’s shadow, distinct and undeniable, clasping the hand of an invisible figure.
“This doesn’t make sense,” I murmured, glancing down at the child. His tear-streaked face was calmer now, but his eyes held an unfathomable depth, as though he understood far more than he let on.
