Chapter 252

After what happened last time at Crimson Gardens-the chaos, the blood, the terror-she'd been restless ever since.

She worried the whole ordeal might leave Adrian with some lasting trauma. That's why she'd come by today, just to check on him. Seeing him now, laughing and playing as if nothing had happened, put her mind at ease.

That's good, she thought. That's a relief.

She glanced at Adrian one last time, her lashes fluttering softly, then turned and

walked away.

...

Inside the classroom.

Adrian was bouncing along, hand-in-hand with Giselle, when his gaze drifted toward the back windows. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide.

A strange, fluttering sensation gripped him. Without thinking, he let go of Giselle's hand and raced out the back door.

The hallway was empty and echoing.

He ran a few steps, glancing around with lost, anxious eyes, and called out unconsciously, "Mom...?"

Giselle hurried after him, catching him just as he was about to dash down the stairs. She scooped him up, concern etched across her face.

"Adrian, what's wrong?"

red. "I thought I

the two of them, there was no one else

it," she said gently. "Remember? She

speak, but his words were swallowed by sobs, and he buried

He missed his mother.

few nights. The nightmares kept coming-always the same: Mom sitting on a bloodstained bed, silently crying as she stared at

He was sad too.

Grandpa just told him Mom had to go away

he missed

comfort. "I'm here, Adrian. I'll play with you,

shook his head, silent tears still streaming down his

then, the teacher came out the back door of the classroom. Seeing the scene before her,

hair, her brow furrowed in worry. "He's upset all of a sudden and doesn't want to play anymore. I think I'll take him home for today. Could you please mark him absent tomorrow

teacher nodded

...

are you

the bottom of the stairs, gripping the banister with one hand pressed to her chest,

over.

little pale. "I must've climbed the

I'll be fine

for a moment, and sure enough,

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255