Viktor opened his eyes. The sun’s rays barely illuminated the room, but it was enough. He got out of bed and went to breakfast. His mother’s familiar humming stopped when she noticed him entering the kitchen. “Good morning, sleepyhead. Are you ready to help your father in the fields?”

Viktor nodded, rubbing his eyes as he sat down. “I still get to play with my friends when I’m done, right? I promised we’d play a new game today!”

His mother winced, nervously looking out the window to make sure his father wasn’t nearby and whispered. “I told you not to talk about that, Viktor. I know you mean well. You’re a kind boy, just like your father. But you can’t talk to the spirit orbs anymore. You’ll be taken away!”

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Viktor winced and nodded. “I’m sorry.”

His mother sighed and turned around, gently taking him into her arms as she kissed the top of his head. “No. I’m the one who’s sorry, my love. You’re a good boy. The other children will come around. Why don’t you play with them once you finish helping your father?”

Viktor nodded, not wanting to say what he really wanted to do. Mother doesn’t like me playing with the spirit orbs. There’s no way she’ll let me follow them to talk to the ghost that makes everything look like the night sky. It broke Viktor’s heart that he couldn’t share the view with anyone, but he had made a promise.

The ghost said something was going to happen today. Something that would change everything. Viktor had to make sure he was finished before then!