Do you have a moment?

The late afternoon sun filtered through the autumn leaves, casting a golden glow over the park. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of fallen leaves and the distant laughter of children playing. Amy sat on a weathered park bench, immersed in the pages of a novel, the outside world fading into a mere backdrop for the story unfolding in her hands.

The rustle of pages beside her barely registered until a voice broke through her concentration. "Do you have a moment?" asked the stranger who was reading beside her.

Startled, Amy looked up, her green eyes meeting his. He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, with dark hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and warm brown eyes that seemed to hold a mix of curiosity and urgency. He wore a dark coat and a scarf, suggesting he was just as prepared for the cool weather as she was.