Hope Newton grabbed Easton’s hand, weaving them out of the crowd toward the outskirts of the square.

The perimeter of the plaza was lined with colorful little stalls, each promising something fun or tasty.

Hope adjusted her mask to make sure it was on snug.

“Want to explore?” she asked, checking in with Easton.

He glanced around at the lively scene. The last time he’d visited a night market, he’d been very young—and that night had triggered a chain of events he’d rather forget. Still, he couldn’t refuse Hope.

“Sure,” he said, squeezing her hand a little tighter.

“Great!”

Masked, blending into the crowd, they looked just like any normal...