Chapter 333

Author’s POV The afternoon sun cast long, golden streaks across the playground of Bright Horizons Preschool, illuminating the bright plastic slides and the colorful murals painted along the outer walls. Most of the children had already been collected by their parents, their laughter fading down the street one by one, leaving behind a peaceful, unhurried atmosphere. Only a handful remained. Rancy was one of them. Barely two years old, she sat in the sandbox with her legs stretched out in front of her, white socks now thoroughly baptized in gray sand. Her small hands patted at a lopsided mound she had been working on with the intense focus only toddlers possess. Whatever it was meant to be, the shape had long since surrendered under her enthusiastic efforts. "Ba!" she giggled, clapping her sandy hands together proudly. Sand exploded in all directions. Beside her crouched another little girl—older, steadier, her movements deliberate. Dark curls bounced around her shoulders as she carefull