It was as easy as breathing, the simple act of turning a page over and withdrawing from the shouts outside or perhaps they were inside. She nestled into the warm body beside her setting down her tattered magician for just a moment as her small hand firmly reached out and grasping her sisters. Although her sister consistently emitted confidence and bravery Cather knew that inside Wren was shaken. She was shaken from the chaos just one level below them. It was at times like these that Cather understood that no matter what they would always have each other and the fantastical world of their Simon Snow. Clatter from the kitchen boomed causing Cather to return to her magical world.
After what seemed to be an eternity the two young girls treaded lightly down their stairs careful of every creak and moan. Their father sat lifeless on the sofa the colour in his eyes drained, Cathers mother was no where to be seen. Wren let go of her sisters hand sitting next to their father, Cather with a moments pause did the same. As the girls sat down a long sorrowful sigh escaped from their fathers lips as he wrapped his arms around them. "What would I do without you girls?" He said though not as if it was a question but a statement that had long settled into his collapsing mind. Cather leaned in closely the scent of sweat filling her senses but that did not matter to her. "We love you, Dad." She said softly embracing the silence. The silence which settled in the room had become a unpleasant normality, it was the silence that resonated around them reminding them all that they would never truly be a family of four but an odd trio. That was all okay for Cather for at the all knowing age of eight Cather knew she would always have her other world. She would always have her Simon.
'"I know you. You're Simon Snow… the Mage's Heir." He held out his hand smugly. "I'm Tyrannus Basilton Pitch. But you can call me Baz—"
-from chapter 3, Simon Snow and the Mage's Heir,
copyright © 2001 by Gemma T. Leslie
Unsuspecting of her future she had no idea that when she picked up Simon that he would always stay.