Evan and Selene strolled through the supermarket, carefully selecting the ingredients for their celebratory meal. As they moved through the aisles, Evan couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia. He remembered the times when he was a child and his father would join them on these shopping trips, joking and teasing both Evan and Selene. But now, his father was long gone, and it was just Evan and Selene against the world. They had grown close over the years, but there was still a part of Evan that yearned for the family he had lost.
As they reached the meat section, Evan's eyes lit up at the sight of a beautiful rib-eye steak. Selene smiled at his enthusiasm, and they carefully selected a few other cuts of meat to go with it. They also grabbed some fresh vegetables, spices, and a bottle of wine to complete the meal. As they walked towards the checkout, Selene's phone rang, and she quickly answered it. Evan couldn't hear what was being said, but he could tell from the frown on her face that it was something important. "Is everything okay?" he asked, as she hung up. "Yes, just a work emergency," Selene replied, brushing it off with a smile. "Let's finish up here and head home." Evan nodded, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He wondered if his mother was keeping something from him, but decided not to push it for now. They had a celebration to prepare for, and he didn't want anything to spoil the moment.
As Evan and Selene continued their journey back home, they chatted about Evan's plans for the future. Evan had just graduated from high school and was trying to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. Selene, ever the supportive mother, listened attentively and offered advice when asked.
They walked down the deserted side street that would take them back to their apartment, their arms laden with bags of fresh produce and cuts of meat. Evan couldn't shake the feeling that they were being followed, but every time he turned to look, there was no one there.
As they turned the corner, they noticed a man walking towards them. The man was tall, with a scruffy beard and unkempt hair. He wore a tattered coat and had a slight limp. Evan thought he looked familiar, but couldn't quite place where he had seen him before.
As the man got closer, he looked up and met Evan's gaze. Evan felt a jolt of recognition - this was the same man he had seen earlier, lurking in the shadows. The man quickly looked away, but not before Evan had caught a glimpse of the malice in his eyes.
Evan tugged on Selene's sleeve, trying to steer her away from the man. The man hesitated for a moment, then suddenly lunged forward, his hand reaching for Selene. Evan acted instinctively, pushing Selene out of the way and tackling the man to the ground. But as he made contact, something strange happened. The man's body seemed to ripple and change, and he turned into a harmless-looking beggar. Selene didn't seem to notice anything unusual, and Evan was left confused and stunned.
Selene couldn't help but feel a sense of empathy toward the man. She approached him with a warm smile and offered him some food and money, hoping to ease his suffering in any way she could.
"Here, take this," Selene said gently, placing a small bag of food and a few coins in the beggar's outstretched hand. "It's not much, but I hope it helps."
The beggar looked up at her with a mix of surprise and gratitude. His eyes were full of tears as he took the offerings from her, thanking her profusely. Selene's heart went out to him, and she knelt down beside him, offering words of comfort and support. "Don't worry, everything will be okay," Selene said soothingly. "You're not alone, and there are people who care about you. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to come find me." The beggar's eyes widened at her kindness, and he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. Selene's empathic nature had a way of easing people's pain, and the beggar was no exception. He thanked her once again, then slowly got to his feet and walked away, his spirits lifted by her words and generosity.
As they continued their journey back home, Evan's mind kept wandering back to the strange encounter with the beggar. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about the whole situation. Selene's empathetic response had been admirable, but Evan couldn't help but feel that there was something more to it.
"What's on your mind, Evan?" Selene asked, breaking the silence between them.
Evan hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should voice his concerns. "I don't know, Mom. It's just... that whole thing with the beggar. It felt weird, you know? Like something wasn't right about it."
Selene looked at him with concern. "What do you mean, Evan? I was just trying to help him."
"I know, I know," Evan said, trying to put his thoughts into words. "It's just that... when I tackled him, he transformed into that beggar. It was like he was trying to attack you or something."
Selene's eyes widened in surprise. "What? That doesn't make any sense. Are you sure?"
Evan nodded emphatically. "I'm positive, Mom. It was like he was a different person altogether."
Selene was quiet for a moment, lost in thought. "I don't know what to make of that, Evan," she said finally. "But let's not worry about it for now. We have a lot to celebrate today."
Evan nodded, still feeling uneasy. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story than they knew, but he decided to put it aside for the time being. They had a lot to look forward to tonight, and he didn't want anything to spoil their special evening.
Finally, they turned onto their street and made their way up to their apartment. Evan and Selene made their way up the stairs to their apartment, their arms straining under the weight of the grocery bags. They laughed and joked as they climbed, enjoying the simple pleasure of spending time together. When they finally reached their door, Evan fished out his keys and unlocked it, letting Selene go in first. Inside, the warmth of the apartment enveloped them, and they set about putting away the groceries. Selene began to chop vegetables while Evan started marinating the meat. They worked together in comfortable silence, the only sounds the soft swish of the knife and the occasional sizzle of oil in the pan. As they cooked, they talked about everything and nothing, catching up on each other's lives. Evan shared his plans for the future, his dreams of traveling the world and discovering new things. Selene listened intently, her eyes sparkling with pride and love. After an hour or so, the meal was ready, and they sat down to eat. The food was delicious, a testament to their combined culinary skills. They chatted and laughed over dinner, enjoying each other's company as they savored each bite. After they finished eating, they cleaned up together, chatting about their day and making plans for the weekend.
As they worked, Evan couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss. He kept glancing at Selene, trying to decipher the strange sensation he had felt back in the alley. But Selene seemed completely at ease, her attention focused on the task at hand. It was as though the encounter with the beggar had never happened. Evan wondered if he had imagined it all, but the memory of the strange ripple in the air lingered in his mind. Eventually, they finished cleaning up and settled down on the couch. Selene pulled out a photo album and began to flip through the pages, showing Evan pictures of him as a baby and recounting stories from his childhood. Evan listened with rapt attention, feeling a warmth and love that he had never experienced with anyone else. As the night wore on, they talked about everything under the sun, from politics to music to their hopes and fears. Finally, Evan realized how late it had gotten and yawned. Selene smiled and got up, stretching her arms. "It's getting late," she said. "We should get some sleep." Evan nodded, feeling a sense of contentment that he had never known before. As he got up to head to his room, he paused and looked back at Selene. There was something about her that he couldn't quite put his finger on, a hint of something mysterious and otherworldly. But before he could say anything, Selene gave him a warm smile and a hug. "Happy birthday, Evan," she said softly. Evan smiled back, feeling a warmth in his heart that he couldn't quite explain. As he headed to bed, he knew that his life would never be the same again. Something strange and wondrous was unfolding, and he was determined to find out what it was.