Running late for her abortion appointment, the woman realized she had left her documents in the car…

It was a small square with a playground, benches, and old trees. On a weekday, it was almost deserted, only a few moms with toddlers. She walked around the entire park, looked behind every tree, checked all secluded corners.

The boy wasn’t there. But he’s somewhere here, in the city, living on the street in November weather. Paula felt she had to help him.

She went to bed with a firm intention to find him tomorrow. But sleep wouldn’t come again. Paula lay in the dark and thought about how he was freezing and hungry.

The next day, Wednesday, Paula planned to spend searching for the mysterious boy again. She decided to use all her time off from work. The morning started with questioning local residents.

Paula approached an elderly woman walking her dog. Excuse me, have you seen a boy about 10-11 here? He’s not local, dressed in an old brown jacket. Oh, that homeless kid! Exclaimed the woman.

Of course, I’ve seen him. He’s been hanging around our area for a week. He stands by one entrance, then another.

Strange kid. What’s strange? Well, not like ordinary homeless kids. Doesn’t beg, doesn’t cause trouble.

Just stands and looks, as if waiting for someone. And if you approach him, he runs away immediately. Do you know where he sleeps? Probably in the basement of one of the houses.

Or in an abandoned garage. Paula thanked the woman and continued the search. She checked all the basements she could find, looked into garages, checked abandoned buildings.

The boy was nowhere. By lunch, she was tired and decided to take a break. She went into a cafe near home.

Sitting by the window, she watched the street, hoping to see the familiar figure. Are you looking for Mike? Someone suddenly asked nearby. Paula turned around.

At the neighboring table sat a girl about 20, with short dark hair and a serious look. She was dressed in jeans and a sweater, looked like a student. Excuse me, who are you? My name is Katie.

I work for a charity organization that helps homeless children. I’ve known Mike for a month. Mike? Paula asked again.

That’s his name? Yes. Michael Reynolds. He’s 11 years old.

He’s run away from the orphanage named after MacArthur several times. The last time a month ago. Do you know where he is now? Not exactly.

But sometimes he appears in the park near school number 17 around five in the evening. There’s a playground there, he likes to sit on the swings. Why did he run away from the orphanage? Katie looked at Paula attentively.

And why do you need to know that? Are you a journalist? Social worker? I’m a doctor. And? It’s hard to explain. He left me a note, and I want to talk to him.

A note? That’s not like him. Mike is a very withdrawn child. He avoids contact with adults.

But he left it, insisted Paula. She took out the paper and showed it to Katie. The girl carefully studied the handwriting.

Yes, but strange. What child is he writing about? I’m pregnant, said Paula. Yesterday I was supposed to have an abortion, but I couldn’t.

This boy somehow knew about my situation. Katie raised her eyebrows in surprise. Mike has… peculiarities. He sometimes says things that an ordinary child couldn’t know.

The orphanage staff considered him strange, a bit otherworldly. What peculiarities? He sees things. Feels people.

Can predict some events. I don’t know how to explain it scientifically, but… Abilities, Paula said unexpectedly to herself. What? Katie was surprised.

Nothing, it seemed. Tell me more about him. Katie looked at her watch.

I have time. Want to go to the park? Maybe we’ll see him there. They left the cafe and headed to school number 17.

On the way, Katie told Mike’s story. His mother was named Nina Reynolds. She died in a car accident 5 years ago, when Mike was 6 years old.

He didn’t know his father. The birth certificate has a dash. No relatives were found, so the boy was placed in an orphanage.

At the mention of Nina’s name, Paula stopped dead in her tracks. Her heart beat faster, her mouth went dry. Nina Reynolds? She asked in a trembling voice.

Yes, what? What did she look like? I didn’t know her personally, but I saw photos in Mike’s file. Young woman, light hair, blue eyes. Very fragile-looking.

Paula felt the ground slipping away from under her feet. Nina Reynolds. Her school friend Nina, who disappeared from her life 15 years ago.

Nina, whom everyone considered strange, otherworldly. The girl who could foresee events and read people like an open book. You knew her? Katie asked, noticing Paula’s pale face.

We went to the same school, Paula whispered. She was my best friend until ninth grade. Then her family moved, and we lost touch.

So Mike is the son of your school friend? It turns out so. Now everything was falling into place. The note…