Charlotte held her breath for a moment, feeling a wave of nerves as the door to the playground slowly creaked open.
"Relax," Damon whispered beside her. "They'll get nervous too if you look tense."
He reached out and gently took her hand, tracing soft circles on her palm in a calming rhythm. "Everything will be alright, sweetheart."
Charlotte gave a small nod, though her heart was still pounding in her chest. The silence that greeted them as they stepped inside was overwhelming. Dozens of small eyes were fixed on them, some filled with curiosity, others with fear.
But whether they were scared or simply curious, one thing was certain: all of them kept sneaking glances at the two strangers who had just stepped into their territory.
Charlotte even spotted a little one hiding behind a block tower, peeking through the gaps between the colorful blocks. She couldn't help but let out a soft laugh at their adorable reaction.
