The Village

Chapter 8: Something Suspicious

Something is happening. I can feel it.

I had a nightmare. The monster raided the village again and my mom died. Sophie died, too. In fact, I was the only one left. I had to survive on my own.

I think this is a sign. Something unexpected is going to happen. And I, Lucy Smalls, am going to have to fix it myself.

Sophie is coming over to my house today. We are supposed to talk about what happened, but I already know that that's not going to make her feel any better. I'm going to trust her and tell her my secret about the object instead. She'll probably be able to help me.

I walk downstairs to get some breakfast. I see food set on the table. My mom is up.

The food is different than normal. We usually have homemade bread with some strawberry jam. Today there is a wide variety. Watermelon already cut and laid across a plate with apple slices, grapes, and other various fruits that I have never seen before on top. Along with the usual bread. There is also some freshly-squeezed lemonade in a pitcher on the counter.

Suddenly I hear something behind me. A creak on the stairs. Slowly getting closer. I turn around carefully.

It's my mom. What a relief. She is carrying a basket of laundry and she almost trips on a step as she looks up. She seems surprised to see me.

"What are you doing up so early?" she inquires.

"Sophie's coming. Remember?"

"Of course! That's why I set up all of this up. I just thought you'd want to sleep in. Do you like it?" she asks as she draws threes cup from the cabinets and pours the lemonade equally into each.

"I guess. I just wasn't expecting all of this. How did you get all of this anyway?"

"Perks of running for mayor. Now go wash off and get dressed. There is a guest coming."

I walk to my room and gather my things as I hear a knock at the door.