It was night and the buildings in the North Yard were faint in the darkness.


    Nine scouted ahead, sniffing things as he walked. Nina wasn''t far behind. Chester was there with a book in his arms. He didn''tin at all—he was looking forward to it.


    Nina had been depressed for the past couple days. Chester hoped John''s surprise could make her happy.


    The two walked on the winding cement road, flowers blooming on both sides and swaying gently in the breeze.


    Soon enough, Nine dog stopped in his tracks. So did Nina.


    They should be standing in the open space in the garden out back. But a huge ck shape reared up before them, blocking their way in. Not only that, it took up a lot of space by itself. It looked menacing in the darkness.


    A faint sound reached their ears. It was pleasant enough. Not to mention the tinkling wind chimes waiting for them under the eaves.


    Nina strained her ears, trying to make out what that sound was past the chimes. It got slightly louder, and she could hear a high-pitched buzzing.


    "What''s that sound?" Nina cupped her ear, but she just couldn''t figure out what it was. She could hear the chir


    r throat, she bit her lips.


    "Leon..."


    "I''m sorry I didn''t say goodbye. But I worried that if you didn''t want me to leave and cried at the airport, I''d have no choice but to take you back." Leon reached out his hand, as if he was trying to wipe away his sister''s tears.


    When Leon heard his sister had been down in the dumps for several days because he had left, he was both sad and d.


    Leon withdrew his hand and said with a smile, "Happy birthday, Nina."


    His voice was soft and slow, as if he could travel through mountains and rivers from C Ind to visit Nina.


    "Thank you, Leon." Nina smiled, her eyes narrowed into crescent moons, and her red lips and white teeth looked adorable.


    Then the image vanished.


    Nina wiped her tears and began to look around for John.


    She looked everywhere but didn''t see him.


    "Aunt Nina, Uncle John was just here. I don''t know what happened, but he left in a hurry." James walked up to exin. "Don''t me Uncle John. Work has kept him busy. Probably too busy toe to your birthday party."


    Nina nced at him and said nothing.


    There was a sh of disappointment in her eyes.