Kevin watched the old man with growing wariness. "How do you know about my sister?" he asked, trying to steady his pounding heart.
The old man raised an eyebrow, the faint smile never leaving his face. "I know more than you think, Kevin." His voice was raspy but calm, as if he had been waiting for this moment for a long time. "I know what's haunting Cassie."
Fear crept further into Kevin's chest. How could this man know his name? How did he know about the shadows and the darkness Cassie had mentioned? Kevin's mind raced, searching for a way to get rid of this stranger without causing trouble.
"I don't know who you are," Kevin finally said, "but we don't need any help."
The old man chuckled softly, a sound like dry leaves rustling together. "You're wrong, young man. You may not be asking for it, but you desperately need it. The darkness that surrounds your sister is not something you can ignore."
