Sky Dust

Chapter 4

The fire was making crackling sounds as the last of the paper turned black and vanished into the ashes. Spencer watched it with empty eyes from his chair, his backpack between his legs.

When the flames had been reduced to embers, he stood up and looked at his parents sitting close to the fireplace. His father quickly got up at the sight of his eyes.

"Is it alright that I've taken your time? With the note burning thing?"

"It's nothing," his father opened the door, letting the rest of the family out. "We're meeting the carriage on Avon Street."

Spencer trotted after him. He felt the weight of the backpack; he had taken a few light books, but despite their size, it wasn't any easier.

People started gathering outside, heading out of their homes. Young children ran to the streets, chasing each other. He made his way through the small crowd and turned confidently to Avon Street.

Spencer immediately noticed the carriage. Not the most luxurious one; merely a grey trailer made of cloth, with patches sewn in at places.

He nodded at the driver as his parents caught up. When he put his foot inside, he heard a loud bang and turned around, then quickly put the other foot in. The carriage started moving, and Spencer found himself sitting on the floor, shocked. He heard another noise, but now it was quieter and less sudden.

"What was that?" He asked his parents.

"I have no clue. Not our business," his mother snapped as she turned around to face the window. Spencer saw his backpack lying on the floor and picked it up swiftly. He forced himself on his feet and regretted it; the carriage was shaking, and he threw himself onto the first seat he could find.

He took a deep breath to relieve all the feelings he had. Outside, it was still as busy and typical as it had been before the bang. Nobody seemed to have noticed, and Spencer started to calm down. He kept switching his gaze from the backpack to the window and then closed his eyes.