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A feeling I don’t recognize spreads through my chest I’ve never felt this way into protect her

Bending et co tries to coht She asked me to stay away, and I fully intend to follow her wishes Iwill threaten Mercy as long as I’m here

Exploring

Mercy

Sundays in the fall are y in the woods, peeping at the changing leaves It’s beautiful and fragrant, and I always save ti inwith excitement as I head down the stairs to breakfast

Aunt Penny’s at the table, and I pause, waiting to see if she’ll make an excuse to leave the room when she sees me She doesn’t A newspaper is spread beside her, and she’s reading as she sips her coffee

“Goodfor the white bowl of fluffy yellow eggs

She blinks up at ht”

Taking a large bite of savory bacon, I nod “I went bowling with a girl froym”

“Bowling!” Aunt Penny straightens, a ses of her mouth “We’ll just keep that between us Was it fun?”

“It was,” I say, considering everything that happened “I can’t remember the last time I bowled, but I seem to be a natural at it”

“Of course you are,” she sips her coffee “You’ve always been athletically gifted”

I can’t help a little frown “I’ve never participated in sports How can you know that?”

“It’s in your genes”

Her attention returns to the paper, and I reach for the carafe to pour ht, that presence was back My insides were ju, but it lingered in the yard