October looked at her watch. The bus was scheduled to be at the inn before nightfall but it was getting late. She looked out the window. The sun was setting, the reds and yellows turning into deep greens and purples.
A dark shape moved in the woods. October focused her gaze outside, scanning the tree line for movement. What was that?
"Are we gonna stop for the night, or what?" Ashley leaned into the aisle, looking at Mrs. Wilson, one of the chaperone teachers.
"Sit tight, Ashley, that's what we're trying to figure out," she responded, pointing to another teacher who was holding a map open.
Ashley rolled her eyes and sat back in her seat beside Amy.
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*OCTOBER'S FLASHBACK
"Twenty-nine…thirty!" she screamed, turning out the light in the laundry room and stepping out into the bathroom. Her eyes adjusted instantly to the darkness, allowing her to see perfectly. She stepped around her birthday balloons that had fallen to the floor. Passing the kitchen, she saw her cake sitting on the island counter. For her eighth birthday, her mother had invited over all of her classmates. Presents still lined the living room floor, torn wrapping paper and birthday cards thrown everywhere. October noticed a small movement behind the kitchen table. Walking over, she touched her friend on the head.
"Found you!"
"Aw! How did you find me?" her friend whined.
"I can see you," October smiled.
"It's dark…"
"So?"
"So how can you see me?"
"I…don't know…I just…can…"
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*OCTOBER'S POV
"We're just going to keep on driving until we reach the inn," Mrs. Wilson stood up, addressing the bus. "It should only be a couple hours from now. We'll just have to be a little late. If you want, go ahead and sleep. We'll wake you up when we get there." She sat back down in her seat.
October leaned back into the seat and looked out the window again, letting herself drift off into thought. Her eyes grew heavy and she soon fell asleep.