Fablehaven (a rewrite, book 1)

Chapter 2

ahh i did not realize it's been nearly two weeks since i last posted. as an apology, this will be a whole chapters worth, like the first one. again, it's still floating really close to canon, but it will slowly get better (i hope lol)

The next morning, Kendra joined her family for breakfast. She felt at peace, now that her worries about Grandpa had dissipated. This place had a magical feel to it, and she finally allowed herself to enjoy it. She used the vanity that morning, feeling like royalty, brushing her hair with the elegant combs provided.

Kendra also put the wardrobes to use, where she found plenty of clothes waiting for her. There were dresses, sweaters, jeans, blouses, etc. Some of the dresses were extremely lavish, and she was excited to try them on. Anything she had already tried on, though, strangely fit her. She quietly wondered if Grandpa Sorenson had asked for their sizes before their stay. Nevertheless, Kendra made use of the situation and was now wearing a gorgeous light blue sundress, a pattern of daisies decorating the skirt.

Kendra was awoken from her daze by a blinding flash. Seth had a butter knife perfectly reflecting the sun onto her eyes.

"Cut it out, will you?" She was not close enough to the window to retaliate.

"No one likes the sun in their eyes, Seth," Grandpa Sorenson scolded.

Seth stopped. "Where's Dale?"

"Dale and I got up a few hours ago. He's out working. I'm just here to keep you company on your first morning," answered Grandpa.

"Have you been able to reach our parents?" Kendra wondered. "I tried calling them this morning but didn't get an answer."

"The signal must be low where they're at, we can try again later," Grandpa reassured.

Lena set a bowl in front of Kendra, and another in front of Seth. The contents looked like some weird oatmeal with red stuff in it.

"What's this?" Seth asked.

"Cream of wheat," Lena replied.

"Sticks to your ribs," Grandpa added.

Seth probed the cream of wheat with his spoon. "What's in it? Blood?" Kendra rolled her eyes at that comment.

"Berries from the garden and homemade raspberry preserves," Lena explained, placing a platter on the table containing toast, butter, a pitcher of milk, a bowl of sugar, and a bowl of jam. It was a real family breakfast, something the two siblings hadn't had in a while. It was generally a piece of toast or a bowl of cereal and you were out the door, though Kendra had taken to fruit recently.

She sampled the cream of wheat. Despite its odd texture it was delicious. The berries and raspberry preserves sweetened it to perfection.

"This is good!" Seth said in surprise. "Just think, Dad is eating snails."

"I'm glad you like it. But I best be off now, plenty of things to get done. You kids remember the rules about the woods?"

"And to stay out of the barn," Kendra added.

"Good. There's a swimming pool out back that we got ready for you, you may have seen it. There are also gardens to explore, and there's plenty to do in your room. Just respect the rules and we'll have a grand 'ol time."

"When is Grandma coming back?" Kendra asked.

Grandpa glanced down at his hands. "That depends on your Aunt Edna. Could be next week. Could be a couple months."

"Do you think we could call her?"

That seemed to catch him a little off guard. "Well, you know me and Grandma, we don't have cells." Grandpa was acting a little strange, maybe it was his aversion to electronics.