It was a day of mourning for the friends and family of Philip's father, who was deceased. Since Philip was only four years old, he did not fully understand death. He was puzzled when he saw his father's body, laying lifeless in the coffin. Why was his father sleeping in a wooden box, and why were people crying? He fixed his collar and walked towards his mother.

"Mommy?"

"Yes, Philip?"

"Why is daddy sleeping there? Why are they crying?"

"Well, it's because he's gone."

"But he's right over there," he said, pointing at the coffin.

"He's dead, Philip."

"What is 'dead'?"

"Well, let's just say that daddy is sleeping and he can't wake up."

"Why not?"

"There are some things I can't always explain," replied his mother.

An hour later, they wept as the coffin was lowered into the ground. Philip watched as his father, laid peacefully in a coffin, was buried. Just then, Philip felt someone resting a hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to the left, looked up and saw a man.

The man was very tall, much taller than his mother! His body was slightly muscular and was of slim build. He had sparkling, electric blue eyes and ash blonde hair that was neat and combed upwards. He had skin that was very pale, so pale it was comparable to snow. But what made him distinct from others was his presence, the feeling of safety and comfort that his presence brought. The man knew that Philip was looking at him, so he said to the young boy,

"Pay attention, Philip. Don't focus on me."

Philip obeyed him and continued watching. After the burial, Philip rushed to his mother. She was talking to her sister-in-law, Annalise. Annalise (or Auntie Annie, as Philip referred to her) was the younger sister of Philip's late father, and was a very loving young lady.

"Mommy, mommy! Do you know the man who was next to me an hour ago?" he asked.

"What man? You mean your Uncle Jack?"

"No, the person who was in between you and me. He was resting his hand on my shoulder," Philip told her.

In an instant, the man appeared out of nowhere. Philip saw him leaning on the willow tree. The man pressed his right index finger against his rose-red lips, signaling him to keep quiet.

"Yes, Philip? What did you say about the man?" asked his mother.

"Nothing, mommy. I was probably just seeing things," he replied.

"Well, in that case, let's return home. Say goodbye to your relatives, Philip."

"Okay, mommy."

The mother and son bade goodbye to the guests and they returned home in their grey sedan. When he took a glimpse of the cemetery from his window, he saw many strange people standing next to each grave. Among them were elderly people, young children, those who died of illness and those who were killed. They were semi-transparent and had a strange presence that was different from ordinary people, but similar to the man who stood next to Philip.

Philip and his mother returned home safely, and the man followed them.