The town hall was a small white building that smelled of old floor wax and damp coats. Tonight it was packed. Every pew was full, and people stood along the wooden walls. When Elias and Clara walked through the double doors, the room fell into absolute silence.

All eyes followed them, and Elias could feel the weight of their stares. These were the people who had shared coffee with him at the restaurant and greeted him on the docks. Now they looked at him as if he were a dangerous stranger.

"The