Prologue

Amity Park, 2024 midday

It was the gloomiest day of the year. Well, probably not the actual gloomiest day since this was Amity Park after all. So many things happened in this town to make most days gloomy. But after what happened would there ever be another sunny day again? The girl wanted to hope so but really couldn't make herself see any light at the end of this tunnel. She held her young son's hand, she could feel him trembling. He didn't quite understand what was happening but it was obvious he knew something was wrong. She stared up at the cloudy sky, trying desperately to warm herself up with the few rays of sunlight peeking through. Despite all her willpower, she felt a few tears escape.

"Mommy?" A small voice murmured. She looked down at her son.

"Hi, sweetie," she knelt down and forced out a smile.

"Why is everyone sad?"

"Something happened to someone they love. They're only trying to move on." She pushed some of his dark hair out of his eyes.

"Are you sad?"

"I am. But I'll be okay," the girl did her best to hold the tears back this time. She couldn't let her son know.

"I love you mommy," her son hugged her and it was almost impossible not to break down.

"I love you too, my sweet boy."

"When will daddy be back?" There it was. The question she had dreaded this entire day.

"Sweetie. Daddy isn't…Daddy isn't coming back," she pulled away so she could look at him. She saw the confusion, then the understanding, then the sadness.

"He'll be back. He always comes back." The girl smiled at the determination in his voice. He was so strong, just like his father.

"We can hope." She stood up and took his hand again. She looked back inside the church and saw the crowd had dispersed. The reception was starting soon in the garden and they would be expecting her. Taking one last look at the sky, she saw a few more rays peeking through the clouds. Maybe she would be okay. One day. Today she would be strong. Tomorrow she would allow herself to struggle. But her son and daughter needed her. They would survive on their own.

"Come on, sweetie, let's go find your aunt and sister."