The air was thick, and she had to push her way through it. Above her was a dense red cloud that covered the sky, and blocked out half of the sun’s bright light. The middle of the day still looked like early morning.

She walked forward a few feet, but she wasn’t sure what to do. She’s in some field with grass above her knees. There’s an old barn and some homes, but she couldn’t hear or see anyone.

‘where am I?’ She asked her self just before the ground around her began to rumble.

‘Earthquake?’ She thought it could be, but she wasn’t sure. They where not common in Savannah, where she was from.

An eerie cackle came from a few yards away, and her heart skipped a beat. She almost swallowed her tongue, when she saw the skull head and decayed bones of a lifeless thing stagger to a stance.

Another cackle came from only a few feet beside her, another some where behind her, and then the cackles just seemed to keep coming from all around her. Skeleton after skeleton stood up within the field, and held themselves up with a drunkards sway.

Their emptiness and black eye sockets made her skin tremble out of control. All of them where looking at her. Then, like a command from an unseen master, they lunged at her. Strong, bony, hands gripped around her.

She screamed, and jerked herself upright. Several kids around her almost jumped out of their beds, while others only rolled over. She saw she was safe. She knew she was back at the home.

“Josephina this is the third night in a row!” One of the older girls growled.

“Sorry.” Josephina apologized. She held her hands around her sides. She had not been able to stop the trembling current that ran underneath her copper skin.

“This is getting old.” Another girl grumbled.

“I am sorry.” Josephina apologized again.

“Why don’t you grow-up?” A new girl named Silvia yawned her question. She then rolled over in her bed, and went back to sleep without caring for an answer.

No one else seemed to have anything to say, so Josephina slid silently out of her bed. She was no longer trembling. But she was covered in sweat, and had become very thirsty. Her mouth was dry, and her tongue felt like living sandpaper.

Within the dim light Josephina slowly made her way into the kitchen. Mrs. Bethany was there in her purple robe. She looked calm and frustrated at the same time.

“I heard your scream from down here.” Mrs. Bethany handed Josephina a small glass of milk. “Thought you might want that.”

Josephina took a swallow. The cold milk felt good and replenishing. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Mrs. Bethany walked over to the large dining room table that was able to seat twelve. At the end of the large rectangular table was a toddlers table with enough room for six.

“Are you ok Mrs. Bethany?” Josephina sat down beside her teacher and friend.

“Yes, dear.” Mrs. Bethany smiled, and sipped at her coffee mug. “Just some old troubles from an old student.”

Josephina smiled. “Reid?” Josephina didn’t know Reid personally, but there was always a rumor or two roaming around the home about something he did.

Mrs. Bethany smiled back, And nodded her head.

Few minutes later there was a nock at the front door. Mrs. Bethany rose from her chair, and went over to see who it was.

“Who is it?” Mrs. Bethany asked loud enough for the person to hear her on the other side of the door.

“It’s Patt and our adventurer, Mrs. Bethany.”

Mrs. Bethany unlocked three locks from the door and one chain, before she could open it.

“Hi Mr. Patt.” Mrs. Bethany said with a sigh. She looked down at Reid. His dirty blonde hair was like a picture of chaos, and he wore blue jeans with a simple t-shirt.

“Hi Mrs. Bethany.” Reid didn’t smile, but he wasn’t showing fear either.

“Go to bed Reid.” Mrs. Bethany shook hands with Mr. Patt. “Thank you again.”

“Your welcome.” Mr. Patt turned around, and walked away. Mrs. Bethany began to lock the door back.

Reid passed by the dining room table on his way to the boys sleeping area. His and Josephina’s eyes met. He stopped to look at her.

Josephina met his gaze. Reid’s eyes where a light teal, and they felt distant. She turned her gaze down toward her short and stubby toes. Josephina felt something strange in Reid’s eyes. There was some kind of emptiness. When she looked up again, Reid was gone.