r creaked ope

ng onto the porch with two glasses of jui

her suffer," Jeremiah qui

od. You can help me keep an

. "Don't worry. I'm the

t. Now I have two o

air as she passed by. "Y

leaned against Jeremiah's shoulder,

though," she

at

e who come lo

the teasing gone from his

h. I

e s

zily through her phone while Jeremiah sat cross-leg

from the hallway, "Mina! Did y

outh and shouted back, "Yes, Mom!

's head popped around the

"I was kidding! They'

"If I find a single speck

lightly less for five

her a mock round of app

gh. "I'm going to the store. Jeremiah, make sure

es," Jerem

a playful glare. "Yo

na and Jeremiah exchan

inst her bedpost, f

y in this little bubble forever. Just you, me, your

"Yeah. But eventually,

at her like he

of growing up

grow up and forge

. "That's impossible. You're

like that meant more

nd them, Mina's phone buzzed on

ed it up,

el

was a

rted male vo

le fox. Some things in this t

l disco

the phone, hear

p instantly. "

ed. "I... I

her

e, it wa

Now find what your gra

excitement. "Looks like your n

faintly from downstairs, unawa

drenaline. "Let me guess. You're going to

this time it was

ket. "This time, yo

, flashlights in hand. The dusty air felt heavier n

pered. "So what are w

of boxes, old trunks, an

eft behind. Something someo

. Just when Jeremiah started complaining about his allergies, Mina's flashlig

e pulled it free, b

brittle piece of pa

8 – kenwa

her shoulder. "Kenwar

pulse q

ave t

tumbled back-his foot breaking through a loose wooden plank. Dust c

waving the dust

ered plank was a

'For Mina. When

pen. "Did your grandfat

embled as she t

I'd come

ne buzz

You're getting close, little fox. But re

tiffened b

m. "What's that s

ic door suddenly slammed shut with a

chuckle echoed fr

lled out, smoo

you were the only on

t pounded.

now, a faint trace of

tching you, Mina. I've been

d her arm. "We

he jammed attic door, Mina'

inal

ou soo

breath

wa