Claude's reaction was immediate. His eyes widened ever so slightly as though struggling to process what I had just said. His face wore an expression—a mixture of surprise, confusion, and mild concern.
For several seconds, the stare remained unwavering, and the silence prolonged.
"Did that white-haired, blind kid help you search for it?" I asked again.
His bewildered gaze deepened. Then, he looked away, nodding. He covered his lower face in disbelief, zoning out at the horizon as if he would find the answer there.
I pinched the bridge of my nose as I tried to piece things together. "Claude… are you certain?"
Claude turned to me again. He stared for a good minute. I didn't need to elaborate on what I was asking about.
"I'm sure."
That answer alone shattered the puzzle I've been trying to fix. I fixed it wrong. I put the pieces into the wrong puzzle.
