A Promise by the River

Gideon stared at the little girl on the tree, frowning.

Vivienne was sitting on the tree, swinging her chubby legs, saying, "The river water is freezing at night. It feels uncomfortable." Although she looked young and her voice was childlike, her words carried a decisiveness far beyond her age.

"Go away." There was a hint of anger on the ten-year-old Gideon's face. At that time, his heart had long