Lewis James Moriarty

The forest that day was unusually quiet. Even the wind glided cautiously across the river, as if afraid to disturb the peace. Lewis walked slightly behind William, observing the small details: the way the leaves trembled, the way the sun glinted on the surface of the water, the way tiny twigs snapped underfoot. He almost always noticed what others missed. Suddenly, a movement near the shore made Lewis slow his pace. There she stood—a young girl on the threshold of adolescence. Her clothes were neat, without excess, but also without a trace of poverty. She stood motionless, as if afraid to take a false step. “Look at this,” William said quietly, pointing his hand at the girl. "Is she alone?" Lewis nodded, not looking away. The girl turned her head and looked at them. Her eyes were wary, but not frightened. When she tried to speak, strange sounds came out. Lewis tilted his head, listening. “I don’t understand…” William muttered. “Can you hear me?” She fell silent, realizing they were incomprehensible. Lewis took a step forward, cautious but confident. The girl didn't retreat. The silence between them was long, almost tense, but there was already a glimmer of trust in it. "Don't be afraid," William said softly. "We mean no harm." The girl nodded barely noticeably. Leaving her in the forest seemed impossible. Lewis stepped back a bit to show, "We're not invading, but we're walking alongside." On the way to the mansion, she walked between them, slightly behind, cautiously, almost silently. Her gaze constantly glided over the house's architecture, studying the lines and shapes rather than the doors or furniture, as if she were trying to understand the very spirit of the place. "Do you know how things work here, Lewis?" William smiled. "I think you'll be interested in showing her around the house." “I’ll be there,” Lewis answered quietly. When they entered, Lewis offered the girl water. She took the glass, holding it carefully with both hands, and nodded. "We'll have a good dinner later," William said. "Meanwhile... Lewis, make sure she feels welcome. I'll get on with the letter to Albert." Lewis nodded, habitually hiding any emotion.