Reyahadrarelysensedanyoneattheparkwithsuchcalmenergy.Curiositymadeheropenhereyes,andstraightenedherback.

        Ayoungmanstoodthere,slightlyhunched,wearingaplainT-shirtandgreypants,handstuckinginhispockets.Heblendedsowellwiththegreycastlewallbehindhim,almostinvisible.

        Hehadbeenwatchingher.Whensheshifted,heflinched,atwitchinhisleftlegbetrayinghisurgetoflee—yetheremainedrootedinplace.

        Reyaremovedthebearheadandsetitgentlyonthebench.Shebrushedherhairbackandsmiled."Hi,Quasi."

        "...Hi."

        ThemanshecalledQuasiglancedather,thenquicklyloweredhisgazetoherfeetstillinthebearcostume.

        Hisslightlylonghairfelloverafacethatlookedlikemeltedwax.Hisdarkskinwasmottledwithrawpinkpatches.Hehadnoeyebrows,andthetautskinaroundhiseyesslantedthemataneerieangle.Hischeektwitched,perhapsanattempttosmile,buttheeffortonlymadeanearbychildburstintotears.

        Thechild''smotherscoopedhimupandshotQuasialookthatstunglikeaslap.Hewinced,lookedevenmoreflusteredandembarrassed.

        Reyastoodup,holdingthebearheadunderonearm,andwavedhimover.Thensheturnedtowardthealleybehindthem,slippingthroughadoormarkedCastMembersOnly.

        "Quasi,isn''tthehauntedhouseunderrenovation?Whatareyoudoingheretoday?"sheaskedoncehejoinedherinside.

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