—Where innocence first met fate.
Germany—Berlin
The sun shone gently that afternoon, casting golden beams across the school's playground, where the sounds of laughter, squeals, and racing footsteps filled the air like a festival of joy. It was recess time at Saint Edmond's Primary School, and second-graders had claimed the open ground like tiny emperors of their own kingdom.Near the old olive tree, two boys stood out among the crowd—not because of any grand spectacle, but because of the quiet bond that tethered them together like sunlight on still water."Henry, don't run too fast! You'll trip again," a soft but slightly commanding voice called out.Henry Vinson, all chubby cheeks and curly hair, stopped mid-run, puffing and panting. His little legs had been working too hard. "But I was going to beat Leo this time, Lukas!" he protested, wiping the sweat off his forehead with his sleeve. His eyes were bright, hopeful, and brimming with the kind of determination only an eight-year-old could muster.Lukas smiled—a warm, crooked smile that carried more maturity than most boys his age. A little taller, a little calmer, Lukas stepped up beside Henry and gently flicked the tip of his nose."You'll win," he said simply, "but not if you fall and start crying again like last Tuesday."Henry pouted. "That was because there was a rock! And… and I scraped my knee!"Lukas gave him a half-hug, letting Henry lean on him as they walked back to the game zone. "I know. But it still counts. Come on, I'll run beside you this time. If you fall, I'll fall too. Deal?"Henry's pout melted into a grin. "Deal!"The other kids had started a game of tag. A whirlwind of flying arms, skipping feet, and laughter. Lukas and Henry joined the fray, but even amid the chaos, Lukas kept one eye trained on Henry at all times. Whenever another kid ran too close, Lukas stepped in like a miniature shield. When Henry stumbled over a root, Lukas caught his arm before he hit the ground.At one point, when a rough boy named Colin pushed Henry too hard while tagging him, Henry fell onto the dirt with a surprised yelp. Tears stung his eyes—not from pain, but from embarrassment."Hey!" Lukas shouted, charging forward like a knight in a second-grader's uniform. He stood in front of Henry, arms outstretched."That was too hard! You don't push people like that."Colin crossed his arms. "It's just a game.""It's not a game if you hurt someone," Lukas snapped.A small crowd had gathered, but no teacher was near. Henry slowly got up, clinging to Lukas's shirt from behind."I'm okay," Henry whispered, cheeks pink. "Let's just go."
But Lukas didn't move. He turned his head slightly, looking over his shoulder at Henry with protective fire in his eyes."No. He needs to say sorry first."Colin blinked, caught off-guard by the intensity. He muttered, "Sorry," more out of confusion than regret.Lukas nodded and gently took Henry's hand. "Come on," he whispered, leading him to the other side of the field. "Don't let them see you cry.""I'm not crying," Henry mumbled, even though his voice trembled."I know," Lukas said, pulling out a crumpled tissue from his pocket. "But if you do, I'll cry with you."Henry looked up at him and giggled. "You're silly.""Maybe," Lukas said with a grin. "But I'm your silly."From that day, under that olive tree, something invisible but unbreakable grew between the two boys—more than friendship, more than words. Something written into their childhood with quiet promises and shared glances. Something neither of them could name at the time.They didn't know then how dark the world could become.They didn't know how much that small moment would mean.But in that playground, on that afternoon, Lukas had already decided:"I'll protect you. Always."And Henry, in his own quiet heart, had already believed it.