Prologue

Most of the village had gone dark by the time Rosa had arrived. As she had expected, one place still had their lights on bright, even though midnight was fast approaching. Taking advantage of her cover, Rosa slipped over to a brightly lit window and peered inside. Not too far from the window, a figure stood in front of a worktable, working furiously on something that Rosa couldn't see.

Good, he's alone. Rosa moved to the front door of the building and slipped inside, careful not to make any noises in case she ended up accidentally disturbing the locals' sleep - as if that were possible at this hour. Closing the door softly behind her, she called out, "Samuel?"

The figure jolted up in surprise at the sound of the voice, then turned slightly, his blue eyes locking with Rosa's identically colored spheres. "Rosa! What are you doing here? Have you come to check up on my project?"

Rosa shook her head. "It's something else. About three days ago, I felt another one, exactly like the last time."

Samuel gave Rosa a look of alarm, his eyes widening in shock. "Another one? Are you sure?"

"I'm certain." Rosa moved over to stand by Samuel. "Although, there is something...different."

Samuel looked down at what was on the worktable, then back at Rosa. "How different?"

"It seems to be developing at a faster rate than the first," Rosa admitted. "I doubt that it will take anything more than five years for it to complete."

Samuel frowned. "Five years... There are a couple boys in town who are going to be heading out in five years - one of them is my grandson. Do you think this group that is creating these things is going to cause trouble then?"

"Perhaps."

Samuel let out a sigh and closed what he had been working on with a an audible click. "Rosa, could you keep an eye on the boys when the time comes? Whatever those things are that you're sensing, we have to make sure that they don't cause any trouble."

"You can rely on me, Samuel." Rosa looked Samuel over. "You should go and get some rest. It is well past midnight, and there are many who would like you well-rested in the morning."

Samuel chuckled in agreement. "I'm sure they would." He backed away from the worktable and walked over to the stairs at the other end of the room. "Good night, Rosa."

"Good night, Samuel," Rosa replied. As soon as Samuel was out of her sight, she slipped out the front door - locking it as she did - then disappeared into the night.