Branches Book

BRANCHES

voices, but she didn’t understand what they said. All she knew was that the voices scared her. That night, Valerie went home shaking. She didn’t come to school for three days after. Francois was sitting outside at recess when he saw Valerie again. He was ecstatic to have his friend back, he realized while she was gone how much he missed her. Valerie sat down next to Francois, but she seemed different. The pink flush in her face had paled, and she suddenly looked much older than eight. Her skin looked young and supple still, but her eyes, they had changed. It was as if they had aged forty years, and seen great tragedy and pain. As if she had felt the pain of those before her, and knew that of those who would be next. Francois stared at Valerie unsure of what to say. Suddenly her mouth opened and her soft voice seemed to flow into his ears, like a feather floating down through the air. “He’s in my dreams,” she said. “What?” Francois responded. “Leo,” she said. “But he’s not Leo, he’s someone else.” Francois was practically jumping with joy. Someone else finally understood, somebody could hear them. “Valerie,” he practically shouted. “Valerie, you have to help me.” “With what?” “Helping them.” Valerie felt the fear coming over her body again. She didn’t understand and she began to feel as if she didn’t want to. But when she looked at Francois, she knew it couldn’t be bad. His bright blue eyes locked onto hers. “Ok,” she said. “But you have to explain it to me first.” “I can’t,” he said. “but I can show you.” Francois took Valerie’s hand and suddenly they were no longer outside at recess. She wasn’t sure where they were, but she felt safe. Francois began to whisper into her ear as she looked around. He pointed out the various people who had begun to materialize around her. She quickly recognized Francois’s lost brother as he ran over to them, lifting Francois up into a hug. Suddenly Leo appeared before her. He was not a human, but he was not a being like Francois’s brother either. He seemed to be angelic. All at once Valerie knew. She knew where she was, who these people were, and why it was so special. She turned to Francois, only to find that he was staring back at her. He grabbed her hand and suddenly they were back on the playground. Leo sat up against the tree, smiling at them. “He’s an angel!” Valerie said to Francois. “No,” Francois responded, “he is the Father.” Valerie stared at Francois. She knew that Francois’s father had died, but she was sure Leo was not him. Francois smiled at her. She was confused but

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