“Hey. What’s going on?” She lifts her tear-streamed face. While her throat bobs, speech seems beyond her. I gesture toward the letter. “What does it say that’s got you so upset?” Mother swallows again and parts her trembling lips. As soon as she speaks, I want to shove the words back inside her mouth. “It’s a m…missive from Flighthaven. Your sister’s gone missing, and they expect you to take her place.”
