When the police arrived, they took statements and reviewed the footage with incredulous eyes. I could see the same questions flickering through their minds, the same confusion mirrored in their furrowed brows.

As they led Oliver away, promising to find out where he belonged, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d just been part of something far beyond my understanding. The boy glanced back at me, his small hand waving a farewell.

“Thanks for waiting with me,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

And just like that, he was gone, leaving behind nothing but questions and a chilling image—of a shadow holding a hand that wasn’t there.