Chapter 67 : Something Terrible is Coming

Astrid

It was my first day of school and I was scared. Mom walked me into my classroom. We'd already met my teacher and dad felt like I shouldn’t be nervous. But growing up in the packhouse, the only other kid I ever really got to see was Eddie, and we didn't often play together. I wasn't really good at socializing with people my own age.

Mom bringing me in might have been embarrassing for some people, but not for me. I was comforted knowing that she was there. Mom encouraged me to go play with some of the other kids who had arrived early while she talked to the teacher. I sat down beside a pile of blocks but didn't touch any. I was too busy staring at mom.

She was smiling brightly and chatting with my teacher, but despite the bright fluorescent lights of the classroom, there was a dark shadow on the wall behind her. It looked too dark, like if I got too close, I’d get sucked inside.

Then, I was holding my mom's hand and walking through the garden. It was a bright, warm summer