(short story)

On a dark autumn evening, Olena hurried home through the old park. The lanterns flickered, and their light only emphasized the shadows that spread underfoot. The park seemed empty, but Elena felt that someone was watching her.0

Suddenly, turning around, she saw a dark silhouette — it was a small boy with large, shining eyes. He stood quietly and seemed to wait. Elena was a little scared, but stopped.

“Are you lost?” she asked.

The boy nodded and held out his hand to her. Elena felt the cold touch of his fingers and realized that she had to help. They set off together, and on the way the boy told that he was looking for his sister. With each step he looked more and more transparent, as if he was from another world.

When they reached an old oak tree in the center of the park, the boy stopped suddenly. He smiled at Elena and whispered:

“Thank you for helping me find my way. Now I can go back.”

With these words, he disappeared, and fireflies circled around the oak, illuminating it as if in a fairy tale. Elena stood stunned, trying to understand what had happened. She felt a strange warmth and peace.

The next morning, while walking through the same park, Elena noticed an old memorial plaque near an oak tree. It was written about two children who once got lost in this park and never returned home. Elena realized that her meeting was unusual — she helped the boy find peace…

She smiled as she looked at the oak and thought that some encounters could change us forever, even if they remained a mystery.