Chapter 51: Signals and Crisis

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the yard in Breeze Village, painting the world in hues of gold and orange. Santino Simmons sat on the wooden porch steps, a patient teacher surrounded by his most eager students. To his left sat Aliana Reynolds, her brow furrowed in concentration as she gingerly tapped the slick glass screen of a brand-new smartphone. To his right, Clementine leaned in so close her hair brushed against his shoulder, a playful pout on her lips as she mimicked Aliana’s...