After All This Time Solo with iNPC Spring Break 2025

Interacting with: N/A Mentioning: N/A Date: N/A

Word Count: 1092

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Dylan was still in shock about what he had learned. He couldn’t believe that he had been so in the dark as his grandfather suffered behind the scenes. Why did no one tell him? Was it for his own safety? Or was it for something else entirely? Either way, he wanted to know. It frustrated him that he never knew anything. It was as if his family believed that Avery and him were too young to deal with their problems even though those problems also affected both of them. He was going to be thirteen that year, yet he was still treated like he was eight years old again. Dylan followed closely behind his mom. As much fun as their reunion had been, he was still annoyed with her for not telling him the truth. She should have told him. Avery didn’t deserve to have to be the one to tell him what was actually happening when she was suffering as much if not more than him. Dylan felt terrible that she had to face the news alone for so long. Her father had probably forced her not to say anything, so no wonder she had never told him. That’s why he didn’t blame Avery. Not when his mother had many good chances when she could have told him. His mother sighed before saying, “I know you’re angry, Dylan. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you before. I know I should have because I’m your mom and I’m sorry that it was Avery who told you the truth.” Dylan had nothing to say. Actually, he didn’t know what to say. His mother should have told him when she first knew. It was only fair. Especially since he was closer to his grandfather than anyone but Avery. He had to see him. That’s why they were heading towards the station in Edinburgh, Scotland. They were going to meet Avery there before taking the long train ride to Wales. A train ride that would bring back a flood of memories forgotten a long time ago. Dylan was ready, but he also wasn’t. He hadn’t seen his grandfather since he was about eight years old, so he had no idea what to expect. Avery had said that he looked different and that she barely recognized him, so would he suffer the same fate? Would he be unable to recognize the man that helped raise him? Dylan sighed as he laid his head against the window of the taxi. Thousands of thoughts ran through his head as he watched scenery pass by out the window. He was ready to finally be at the station. Things were too crazy at the moment and he really needed Avery. She was the only other person that would understand the pain he felt deep down at the thought of losing his grandfather. He couldn’t stand not knowing. He also couldn’t stand not being there right at the moment. All he wanted was to be a young kid again when he was free from the world. He wanted to go back to the times when he could roam the woods for hours with Avery without having to worry about whether or not his grandfather would survive another day. Finally they had made it. The muggle taxi they had taken in order to look normal stopped right in front of the busy station. Muggles and wizards bustled past each other heading towards wherever they were going. How in the world would they be able to find Avery in this mess? Dylan and his mother got out of the car and grabbed their bags quickly because as soon as the taxi arrived and they got out, a new family crammed into the small car. Dylan sighed again. This day was already long enough. All he wanted was for it to be over. He wanted to be home. That’s when he saw her. A familiar girl that was the same height as him and related to him, yet they were polar opposites. Avery had brown hair and hazel eyes. Just like their mothers, but him? He had black hair and blue eyes just like his father. He had also inherited his mother’s personality of being introverted. Though, Avery was probably the most extroverted person he had ever met. She was always willing to make a new friend even if that person didn’t treat her kindly or act friendly she didn’t care. “Avery!” Dylan called out and waved. She quickly turned around and began to run towards us. Or, at least, walk as quickly as she could between the crowds of people mingling around. Once she had gotten to us, she quickly fell into my mother’s embrace. It had been so long since they had seen each other that it was sweet to see the reunion. Even though I was still not happy with my mother keeping secrets from me. It still wasn’t fair. Even though I was still annoyed with my mother, I didn’t want to miss out on a family hug. I embraced the two of them tightly. Not wanting to let go. Not again. “Let’s go. We have a long train ride.” Dylan heard his mother say. He slowly broke the hug apart. Not wanting to leave this moment. All he wanted was to stop time. Even just for a little while so he could relish in the fact that they were reunited. Dylan followed them closely as they boarded the train. Once they had finally boarded, it was time to finally find seats. Luckily, they were part of the first group to board the train. That meant that seats were easy to find. They found an empty window seated area with a table in between the chairs. Dylan sat next to Avery with his mother sitting across from them. When the train began to move, Dylan felt a head gently bump his shoulder. It was Avery. She must have been tired from the night with her friends. He too fell asleep and didn’t awaken until they were there. Home. Of course Avery ran straight away to her father. He didn’t blame her. Of all the people he knew on her side of the family, his uncle was probably his favorite person besides his grandparents. He was the only other person besides Avery and his grandfather that he felt completely understood him. He loved it and couldn’t wait to reunite with the other man that practically raised him since both his and Avery’s fathers were best friends during their time at Hogwarts.

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Interacting with: N/A Mentioning: N/A Date: N/A

Word Count: 1008

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Once Avery had broken her hug with her father, she glanced back to make sure both Dylan and her aunt had made it through the crowd. She hadn’t even thought about them as she ran towards her father. She had missed him so much. Though, thousands of questions ran through her head as she stood there. What would she find once they had made it to the house? Would everything be okay? Was her grandfather still alive? She didn’t know the answers to any of these questions. All she could think about was her grandfather, though. Her father hadn’t told her anything since she had gone back to Hogwarts, so she was anxious and eager to know his fate and if he was finally going to get treatment. “Are you ready to go now?” She asked when Dylan and her aunt had finally made it and had their share of embraces. Her father chuckled a little before saying, “I guess we are. Looks like someone’s a little eager to get home.” Avery flushed red in embarrassment as Dylan squeezed her shoulder lightly before gently nudging her in the direction of the car. She followed unfeeling and without emotion as thoughts continued to whorl around in her head. She hadn’t even felt the taxi they were riding in move until familiar scenery flew past. She sighed and leaned her head against the window. Her father glanced back briefly from whatever he was doing in the front, but he quickly turned his attention back to what he was doing. He was probably dealing with a mysterious magical or dark object since he was an auror. A job Avery had always dreamed of doing. Now that she was finally at Hogwarts, her dream was coming even closer to reality. She shook off her wandering thoughts as she watched out the window. The beautiful green scenery with trees and mountains amazed her. She was home. Finally. Now all she had to do was survive the rest of the week and hope and pray that her grandfather would be okay and that she wouldn’t have to say goodbye yet. She couldn’t stand that. Not when the year was going to end within the next couple months. She wanted to be able to focus on making new friendships and hanging out with the only two people she felt knew exactly what she was going through. On top of her thoughts about her grandfather, she always thought about that night. She would never forget that night. It was so magical, and was the only happy memory peeking through the dark. It was the night of the ball. A mysterious and magical time for her. It was the night where she had danced and forgotten about everything she was going through. It was as if the weight had been lifted off of her shoulders as she talked, laughed, and smiled. She smiled a little as tears welled in her eyes. She quietly wiped them and was glad that no one noticed. She wasn’t ready to talk about what she was going through. She had only told a couple people what she had been going through. And only one person truly understood the full truth. Her best friend. Her best friend, Lya, was going through a similar situation with her family. She remembered the night that her friend had told her. She had said that her mother was not doing well, and that she had no idea what was going on. Avery completely understood that. She, too, had no idea what was happening to her grandfather. Even though she knew her grandfather had Dragon Pox, she still didn’t know everything. She knew something was being hidden from both her and Dylan. She didn’t know what at the moment, but she needed to know. It would take a lot of the fear of not knowing off of her chest. What if he was dying and she had no idea? What if he was already dead and she was going to see his funeral instead of reliving her old memories from her young childhood? She was scared. They had arrived. Not a word had been spoken on the entire ride to the house, but Avery could feel the tension in the air. She guessed that her father hadn’t said anything to anyone in a while since her aunt seemed tenser than usual as they walked to the house. As they walked up the drive, memories flooded Avery’s mind again. Memories of her younger self playing for hours in the yard as her family laughed around her. Other memories of her grandfather chasing both her and Dylan. She stopped with tears welling in her eyes again. All she wanted was to experience that again. She would be thirteen in September, but she was still a kid. A kid that just wanted to be loved and feel like a kid again. Being a kid was so much better than growing up. She knew that she was growing up too fast, and it was all because of her life. Avery felt someone squeeze her hand and wasn’t surprised to find that it was Dylan. He also had a haunted look on his face. He was probably reliving all the times they had spent together before everything took a turn for the worst. She couldn’t bear it. She embraced him tightly and he did the same. She knew that this was going to be hard, but she didn't think it would be this hard. Once their hug had broken, Avery took a deep breath and finished her walk up the steps and into the house where a rush of different emotions attacked her. She felt another light squeeze on her hand as she stepped inside the door. With her cousin by her side, maybe she would be able to do this. She had to be strong and never give up. Her family staying together depended on it. That’s why she took the leap of faith and walked in. Ready to face the music.

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Interacting with: N/A Mentioning: N/A Date: N/A

Word Count: 1045

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Dylan was nervous. It had felt like forever since he had last been to his grandparents’ house. He was practically raised there, but would he still remember it? So much had happened since then. He didn’t know what to think or expect. He wanted to be there and be reunited with the best times of his life, but he also wasn’t sure. The last time he had been to that house was the time that he had to say goodbye to his old and innocent life and step into a new world where he had grown up fast. Children can’t survive in a world different from what they were used to. Dylan had learned that the hard way. He learned that America was not Wales, but instead a dangerous place filled with things he had never seen or heard of before. His freedom that he had once had disappeared in a matter of seconds the second they stepped foot onto American soil Dylan squeezed Avery’s shoulder gently and nudged her forward. He knew she would take that as he was urging her on so he could get to the house quicker, but it was more of a support for him. He was drowning in what his heart wanted him to do versus what his mind told him. His heart said that he needed to reconnect and relive his happiest moments, but his mind? Well, his mind was telling him the complete opposite. It was telling him that it was just a few days and that nothing will ever be the same. No matter what he still has to leave and go back to America where he wasn’t free. No matter how much he protested, he knew that he couldn’t convince his mother to stay. Even though it was obvious that she missed her old life. Something had changed that and Dylan needed and wanted to know why. Though, asking on this trip probably wouldn’t be the best idea. He didn’t want to make his grandfather worse off than he already was. Dylan squeezed into the middle seat of the taxi with Avery’s father in the passenger seat and his mom sliding in on the other window seat. The second the car began to move, Avery glanced out the window and watched everything pass by. He, too, wanted and should soak in the scenery of his home, but he couldn’t. All he could think about was what was about to happen. He let out a long and silent sigh before rubbing a hand over his face. All the worrying and late nights were catching up to him. He knew he really needed a good night’s sleep without waking up every few hours from ideas of how his grandfather was dying, but no matter what he couldn’t shake the awful feeling creeping into his bones. It started out small and manageable, but then it grew and grew like a tumor until it filled his entire self. Every thought was laced with worry and every waking hour replayed the events of his past. He couldn’t stand it. The taxi ride felt like it went on forever even though it didn’t. Eventually, Dylan looked out the window to see what Avery saw. He nearly gasped at the beauty of it all. Sure, America had some beautiful places, but this? This was home. A home that he would never give up. He knew right then and there that the moment he had a chance to move back, he would do it in a heartbeat. Maybe someday he would be able to go home. Maybe it would even be before he graduated, but at the time being that didn’t seem likely. Too many secrets and grudges were still being held by his aunt. He knew there must be a reason why she stormed out with Avery being dragged behind her, but he couldn’t find a logical one. How could what seemed like such a happy family turn to the dark side with one argument? Was there some sort of past disagreement that had built up enough to cause this? Or was there something else. . . Before Dylan could put the pieces together, the taxi stopped and they were there. The familiar driveway stood before him as he followed Avery out of the car. He couldn’t help but stop and stare. All of my life I had been waiting for this moment. The moment he would finally be home again in a place that he had grown up. He had forgotten how familiar it was to him until he saw the familiar old house with the porch that he had spent so many mornings watching the sunrise with Avery on. Tears welled in his eyes as he remembered the happy times where laughter and love filled every inch of the house. Now it was just dark and old. Like all the happiness and joy had been sucked out of it the second that they all went their separate ways. Dylan grabbed Avery’s hand and squeezed it gently as he stared at the little house with the woods out behind it. The woods. He nearly cried out in joy, but he didn’t. The woods was where his fondest memories of his childhood lay. It was where everything good had happened. The times that he and Avery spent hours “dueling” each other on an old log, the times that they had explored with their grandfather or his uncle, or even the times that they had brought picnics out to eat in their favorite part of the woods. He was becoming overwhelmed with relief that it still looked the same. Just like Avery had said. That’s when Avery embraced him tightly. Like a lifeline. I embraced her right back as if she was the last thing left in the world and I didn’t want to lose her. Though, it felt like that at that moment. Their grandfather was dying, their families were broken apart, and so much had happened. It was as if Avery was the last remnant of the good times spent together. He should have realized a long time ago that the good times don’t last forever. They are just a piece of a life that everyone wishes for. Especially when they are suffering.

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Interacting with: @Dylan Astor Mentioning: N/A Date: N/A

Word Count: 1018

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Avery broke her hug with Dylan and sniffed a little. She rubbed the tears from her eyes. Refusing to cry. She had to stay strong, but she didn't know if she could. So much had happened and so many questions filled the air. She was drowning in thoughts and ideas that had haunted her the entire way back home. She couldn't think. Couldn't feel. It was as if all the good times and happy memories faded now that she was home and facing the dangers that she had always been afraid of. She couldn't deal with it. Not yet. As she walked into the house, the familiar rush of home filled her. The house smelled of cinnamon and a hint of something baking as she walked in through the front door. Dylan continued to hold her hand. Keeping her grounded. She probably would have run if he hadn't been there supporting her and urging her to keep going and face what scared her most. Her grandmother wasn't immediately at the door to greet them like she always used to be which caused something to stir inside of Avery. Was something wrong? Was her grandfather okay? Was he facing his final seconds and she wouldn't be there to say goodbye? Or had her grandmother also fallen ill? So many questions flooded her head again as she stood there in the doorway. So many in fact that her head began to throb. She had to relax, but it was as if she couldn't. Like the only thing she had been programmed to do was think the worst. Suddenly, her grandmother popped out of a room down the hall that wasn't where she normally was. Avery recalled it most likely being either the bathroom or closet, but she couldn't quite remember. It had been so long since she had last visited every part of the house that even though things didn't look changed, that didn't mean that they were still the same as they had been years ago. That was something Avery was really going to have to get used to. Then Avery remembered something. The woods. Would it still be the same after all this time> Or would it be just as changed as everything else? Well, there was only one way to find out and that would have to be later. "I'm so glad you've made it here safely. Welcome home." Her grandmother said as she embraced each and every one of them. She lingered for a moment longer on both her and Dylan though. It was as if she could sense that neither of them were taking the news easily. Both her and Dylan had been very close to their grandfather, so seeing him like this was basically another form of torture. "Your grandfather is sleeping again, but he should be awake soon. I made some apple pie if you haven't already guessed from the smell, but it will still be some time before it is fully cooled and ready to be sliced. Why don't you go and get settled into your rooms? They're the same as they've always been, and I've made sure to put fresh sheets and blankets on them, so they're all ready to go." Her grandmother said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. After she had spoken, she left the room and headed towards the kitchen where Avery guessed the pie was. Avery walked towards her old room with her trunk in hand. Her nerves creeping up on her again. She wasn't sure if she was ready or not yet to face it alone. Avery heard an audible sigh behind her and she knew immediately that it was Dylan. The same thoughts were probably also running through his head. What was happening? And what were they supposed to do? How were they supposed to react? Avery was rummaging through her trunk and trying to sort everything that she had thrown into it when she sensed something or someone was watching her. Since her back was to the door, she had no idea who it was. She turned her head slowly and wasn't surprised to find Dylan standing there with a smirk on his face. She knew immediately that he had an idea, so she turned aroud and sat on her old bed. Motioning for him to come and do the same. The smirk never left his face as he approached her bed and sat down. "What's got you so excited?" Avery asked him before he could say anything. "Something I know you want to do. I could see it in your eyes as we walked towards the house and said our hellos. Wanna go to the woods just like old times?" Now Avery knew why he was smiling so much. Of course that was why. The woods. The place that she had yearned to see again after all the time she had spent away from it. Memories filled her for only a moment. Reminding her of all the happy times she had spent there playing for hours with Dylan or even exploring it with her grandfather. The thought of her grandfather caused the smile to fall from her face. Dylan must have noticed because, he grabbed her hand and squeezed it. A silent reassurance that everything would be okay and that she needed the break. Needed the time to feel like the kid she was instead of feeling like a kid that grew up too fast because of all she had gone through. "Let's do it for old time's sake." Avery said. Her smile returning as Dylan's smile broadened. This time it actually reached his eyes. Dylan quickly stood and held out his hand to her with a small bow. Avery laughed as he said, "Then we have no time to waste. After you, my lady." Avery accepted his hand and gripped it tightly as they ran out of the house and towards the woods. A place where she could be free again and feel the wind in her hair and breath in the fresh yet clear air. It was perfect.

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Interacting with: @Avery Gray Mentioning: N/A Date: N/A

Word Count: 1000

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The woods. The one place that Dylan felt free. Free to be himself. The second Avery said yes to going, well, he grabbed her hand and ran. What else was there to do when the one place he had yearned to be back to for years was there right before his eyes. He could hear the wind as he ran with Avery following close behind. The only thing keeping him grounded and not bursting ahead was her hand in his. She had always been someone who kept him and probably others grounded. Something about her made her feel safe to talk to and be around. Like she wouldn't stab you in the back and spill all your secrets. He had always admired that about her. Once they got into the woods, he stopped abruptly. Allowing the cool breeze to envelope him. He breathed in the fresh air. The scent of pine needles filling his nose. He was here. Home. And it was amazing. "Where to first?" Dylan asked Avery as she too took in the surroundings. Memories were probably flooding her mind. Avery gave him a look that seemed to scream '"where else"? A wide grin spread across his face. He knew exactly where to go. Their most favorite place in the entire woods. The log. Dylan gripped Avery's hand in his own and ran again. Not too quickly since he didn't want to exhaust Avery before they got there. They ran through the twists and turns of the woods. Jumping over the roots of old trees and crossing a small stream that lazily flowed in their path. Then they were there. The one place Dylan had been dreaming about ever since he had been moved across the world at the age of eight. It was still the same since he had last seen it, but it did look older which was to be expected. The old log was still there. It's grey trunk looking slightly more rotted and worse for wear, but it was still there. The trees surrounding the fallen log were taller and much larger than he remembered them. Even the ground felt older. Like it had seen many things over the past four nearly five years. "This is real, right?" Dylan heard Avery say as she stared in amazement at their favorite place. "It is." Dylan responded. Not even looking her direction. He couldn't take his eyes off of the clearing. Dylan felt a small tug on his hand as Avery walked forward and sat. Her head leaning against the log as she looked at the sky. White puffy clouds dotted the blue sky and Dylan knew exactly what she wanted to do. Cloud watching. Something they had done many times when they were younger and free. It was the perfect way to bring back the memories of the past and forget about everything bad. Even if it was just for a little while. Dylan sighed as the sun warmed his face and the light breeze kept him not too hot. This was the life, and he wished he could stay in the moment forever. "Look! That cloud looks like a newt!" Avery pointed to a weird, shaped cloud that looked like the newts that always scurried around. He smiled. Memories of the good old days flooding his mind. The days when they spent hours here. No parents, no rules. It was where they could be kids. Just like right then. "Hey! That one looks like a pigeon!" Dylan laughed. Remembering the pigeons in New York that always wanted to steal whatever food he wanted. They always gave him the stink eye as he enjoyed an American hot dog. Avery laughed too. A real laugh. Dylan couldn't even remember the last time he had heard her laugh like that. Like she was happy. They spent the rest of the day there until the sky began to turn a shade of pink. That was their signal to go home since dinner would be started soon. Dylan reluctantly got up and began the journey home. He knew Avery was close behind because he heard her audible sigh. He agreed. He didn't want to leave yet, but they were both probably hungry. Even though they probably weren't completely ready to face their sick grandfather yet. It was too much to see him so weak and vulnerable. Dinner went well. The laughter of a once happy family now reunited filled the house. Though, not everyone was present at the dinner table. Dylan and Avery's grandfather was still too weak to join them, so their grandmother had brought some food to the couch for him to eat. Dylan was glad that he was nearby, but it hurt him to see the man he had always looked up to so weak and useless. The man nothing like his former self. The disease had destroyed him and still was as it raged within his body. That night, Dylan lay in his bed staring at the ceiling. The events of the day still replaying in his head. He would be leaving in a few days, and he wasn't ready to go. He wanted to stay here forever and attend Hogwarts just like the rest of his family had. He knew the fight was useless, though. There was no way that he would ever get to attend there. He just had to get through his years at Ilvermony, then he could be home again. The next few days were pretty much the same. Dylan and Avery would spend hours exploring the old places they had always gone to in the woods and even uncovered some new places. They also spent time with their grandfather in the evenings. Sharing the things that they had found. But every good thing had to come to an end. The days flew by and before Dylan knew it, it was the day that he had to go home. The day he had been dreading ever since he had arrived home.

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Interacting with: @Dylan Astor Mentioning: N/A Date: N/A

Word Count: 1088

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Avery slowly opened her eyes. The early morning sun lazily shining across her bed and face. She groaned and rubbed her eyes before she finally sat up and stretched. Shaking the sleep off of her. She knew it was early from the sounds of the house not yet awake yet, but she didn't care. She couldn't sleep anymore. Today was the day that she had to go back to Hogwarts and leave this place until summer. Avery pulled the covers back and stood. Her legs weren't fully awake yet hence the slight shaking, but they were holding her. Good. She couldn't just sit still and let herself wake up more. She was too fidgety. Even though it was early. Avery pulled on a pair of blue jeans and her favorite read crewneck sweatshirt before quickly brushing her wavy hair. Her hair had grown a little longer over her time at Hogwarts. She probably needed to cut it soon, but that was something to deal with at a later time. Finally, Avery opened her door. It creaked in protest like it knew that the hour was early. Too early for anyone but the sun to be awake. Of course Avery went to the back porch first. It was the one place she felt at ease when something was troubling her. It was also where she used to watch the sunrise with Dylan when they were little. She smiled at the memory. Nostalgia flooding through her. Avery sat down at the edge of the porch. The rough boards digging slightly into her skin, but she didn't mind. All she could think about was what was going to happen. She was leaving and probably wouldn't have the chance to see the place again before summer. She had to soak it all in. Remember every last detail, so she wouldn't forget. Avery watched as the early morning sun shined before her. Casting beautiful colors of coral, gold, and orange across the sky. It was a breathtaking sight to see. Avery was so caught up in all the colors mixing together to create such a beautiful sunrise that she didn't even hear familiar footsteps walk across the porch. It wasn't until Dylan was sitting next to her that she realized she wasn't alone. Avery glanced in his direction in confusion. He was never up this early. That was when a tired smile played across his face. His way of saying good morning. It was then that she realized why he was up without her dragging him out of bed. He couldn't sleep either. No wonder. He was having to leave for America today, and she knew that he wasn't ready to be back. Avery didn't blame him. She thought England was terrible, but at least she was close to her home and allowed to attend Hogwarts. For Dylan, he was across the ocean from here. He also had to attend a completely different school full of people that weren't like him. Americans that had probably only visited and never actually lived in Europe before. Avery leaned against his shoulder like she always used to do when they were younger. Before they both disappeared out of each other's lives. Avery closed her eyes. Finally allowing herself to relax and not think about the fact that she had to leave again. Like always. She never remembered leaving being so hard, so why was it hard now? Maybe because she knew her grandfather wasn't doing well? Or maybe something else? That something being that if her mother ever found out what was going on, Avery would probably never see her family again? That would only happen if her mother even cared to see her daughter. It was as if her mother just erased her one and only daughter from her life. And it had all started the day of the fight. The day that everything changed. Avery held in the tears. She wasn't going to cry for a mother that obviously didn't care enough to wish her daughter a happy birthday or come to say goodbye as she left for Hogwarts. It wasn't fair, but Avery knew that. Nothing had ever been fair. It was just the way of the world. Avery sat there with Dylan until she heard the clanking of dishes and smelled bacon and eggs cooking. Of course, they were making her favorite breakfast on the last day of her break. That just made it all the harder to leave. Even though her family was just trying to make her happy. Breakfast was a blur. One second Avery was sitting down eating her food and laughing with her family, but in the next moment she was in her room and packing her trunk. Preparing to go back to Hogwarts. She only had a little time left before she left her home again. She heard her aunt calling her and Dylan's names. That's when she knew it was time to leave. When she walked out of her room with her trunk in hand, she froze mid step. Her grandfather was standing there before her. He was leaning heavily on a cane and breathing heavily, but he was there. He smiled as he said, "I couldn't just sit around and not see you off." Avery stared at him. Not convinced that this was his greatest idea. He needed the rest, or he wouldn't get better. She glanced over at Dylan and noticed he was thinking the same thing, but there was nothing they could do. Once their grandfather set his mind to something, there was no convincing him otherwise. The taxi was already there when her family walked outside. The back doors open and inviting. Avery and Dylan climbed into the back and Avery's aunt took the front seat next to the driver. The second the doors were shut and the cab was about to drive away was when it happened. One second Avery and Dylan's grandfather was smiling and waving and the next second he was on the ground. He had collapsed after clutching his chest. He wasn't moving. Avery screamed his name as the taxi began to drive away. She could hear Dylan and her aunt calling out to him, but it was too late. The taxi was already moving and the train had to be caught. The last thing Avery saw of her home was her father and grandmother trying to wake up her possibly dead grandfather. It was too much. Tears flowed down her face uncontrollably. Nothing was worse than this.

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