Charlotte kept her distance as I started walking. Not toward my dorm, not yet. I couldn't sleep yet. Instead, I began a slow circle of the Yard, head down, eyes locked on the path, but mind far away as I struggled with my emotions. Now that Sassafras was on the job with the boys, all of the pain and confusion came rushing back.

We had only gone half way around the circle, tall trees drenching the Yard in deep shadows, when Charlotte's soft hiss pulled me to a halt. I looked up ...