Book Three: Chapter 82

“It’s go time.” Daryl leaned across Dana, opening her car door. She realized that they were parked at the end of Mike’s block - she had gone into a road trance. Stepping out, she held the clock tightly against her chest. Daryl walked behind her, casually assessing the neighborhood.

“Smells like a storm just rolled through here,” he said, staring at the sky. Dana smelled it, but she also smelled sand, smoke, and soil. Approaching the Radley house, she smiled at the sight of the roof over the large stone walls. This place had always been cool to look at, a mysterious force all its own. Turning the corner, they walked between the large stone lions perched atop the wall. It was where the driveway and walkway met up, then split apart. The house was quiet, but it looked like some repairs had recently been done.

“Keep going without me,” Daryl told her. “I’ll watch from here.” Nodding, she walked up the driveway, the smell of smoke getting thicker. She was nearly at the door whe