The Barren Grounds Chapter 7

Summary

In Chapter 7, Morgan, overwhelmed by emotional turmoil, sprints up to the attic seeking solace. She contemplates running away, a pattern from her past in foster care, but reconsiders due to her bond with her current foster family. In the attic, she encounters Eli, who presents her with a drawing that triggers a supernatural event. The drawing, once a depiction of a beast in a snowstorm, becomes a portal, unleashing a blizzard into their space. They manage to close the portal, leaving them to ponder the mysterious power behind the drawing.

Takeaways

• 🏃‍♀️ Morgan, overwhelmed by emotions, sprints up to the attic to escape a tense situation at home.
• 😢 Morgan is distraught, crying intensely, and considers leaving her foster home due to past experiences of abandonment.
• 👟 She reflects on her foster parents, Katie and James, who have been kind to her, unlike her previous foster experiences.
• 🤔 Morgan contemplates her actions and the possibility of not being at fault, showing a moment of self-reflection.
• 🧍‍♂️ Eli, another foster child, plays a significant role as a calm presence and a friend to Morgan.
• 🎨 Eli creates a drawing that becomes a pivotal element in the story, symbolizing a connection to a mysterious world.
• 🛠️ Morgan and Eli attempt to make the attic a secret place, using a box cutter and a staple gun to hang the drawing.
• 🌪️ The drawing comes to life, bringing a blizzard into their world, indicating a supernatural or magical element.
• ❄️ The blizzard and the Fisher, a creature from Eli's drawing, become real, causing chaos and fear.
• 🏠 The attic becomes a shared sanctuary for Morgan and Eli, representing a place of refuge and camaraderie.

Q & A

What is the main setting of Chapter 7?

Chapter 7 is set in a house, specifically on the second floor and later in the attic.

Why is Morgan sprinting up the stairs at the beginning of the chapter?

Morgan is sprinting up the stairs because she is overwhelmed with emotion, not from physical exertion, as she is crying very hard.

What is Morgan's emotional state when she reaches the top of the stairs?

Morgan is extremely upset and out of breath due to intense crying, not from the physical act of climbing the stairs.

Why does Morgan initially plan to pack her clothes and leave?

Morgan plans to leave because she feels she will be kicked out of the house, as she has been removed from and run away from houses before.

How does Morgan feel about her current foster parents, Katie and James?

Morgan acknowledges that Katie and James are good foster parents, unlike any she has had before, and she feels conflicted about leaving them.

What triggers Morgan's breakdown in the hallway?

Morgan's breakdown is triggered by a combination of her past experiences in foster care and a recent argument that led her to believe she would be kicked out again.

What does Morgan discover about the attic door?

Morgan discovers that the attic door is difficult to open and seems to have been sealed shut by layers of paint.

How does Eli find Morgan in the attic?

Eli finds Morgan in the attic because she is not very quiet, and he knows she is there due to the noise she is making.

What is the significance of the drawing that Eli gives to Morgan?

The drawing represents a safe and comforting space for Morgan, symbolizing a place where she feels wanted and can escape her troubles.

What unusual event occurs when they staple the drawing to the wall?

When they staple the drawing to the wall, it comes to life, creating a blizzard in the attic and transforming the drawing into a window to another world.

How does the chapter end, and what does it imply for Morgan and Eli?

The chapter ends with the blizzard drawing coming to life, and Eli pulling it down to stop the snowstorm, suggesting that their bond and the magic of the drawing are strong and that they have a unique connection.

Outlines

00:00

😢 Emotional Turmoil and Escape

In chapter 7, Morgan experiences a profound emotional breakdown, sprinting up to the second floor and finding herself unable to catch her breath due to intense crying. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she contemplates leaving the house, feeling that she will be kicked out just like she has been from other places in the past. Her thoughts are chaotic, and she's torn between wanting to escape and the realization that she's tired of running away. The arrival of Eli, with his understanding and a drawing that he made for her, offers a moment of connection and potential comfort in her distress.

05:02

🔩 Unlocking a Secret Sanctuary

Morgan, in a state of desperation, seeks a place to hide and gather herself. She considers the attic as a potential hiding spot and focuses on an old, seemingly locked door. After failing to open it by force, she resorts to using a box cutter to break the paint seal around the door. Once opened, she discovers an unfinished attic space and decides to claim it as her secret place. The darkness and stale air of the room reflect her inner turmoil. However, her solitude is interrupted by Eli, who finds her and joins her in silence, providing a sense of companionship in her time of need.

10:03

🏠 A Drawing and a Shared Past

Morgan and Eli engage in a conversation about their past experiences in foster care, sharing stories of feeling left out and unwanted. Eli presents Morgan with a drawing he made, depicting a creature walking through a snowy landscape. The drawing resonates with Morgan, who feels a connection to the creature's journey. They discuss the possibility of the drawing being magical, with the paper seemingly emitting cold air and sounds. This shared moment of wonder and creativity brings them closer and offers a moment of reprieve from their difficult pasts.

15:03

🌬️ The Magic of Art Unleashed

Morgan and Eli decide to hang the drawing in their secret attic space, but as they do, they experience strange occurrences. Each staple they use to attach the drawing to the wall releases gusts of cold air, culminating in a full-blown blizzard erupting from the paper. The drawing, which was once a static image, becomes a portal to the world Eli had depicted. They witness the creature from the drawing, a Fisher, approaching them through the snow. The line between art and reality blurs, and they must decide how to handle this unexpected magical event.

20:04

❄️ A Blizzard Beyond the Frame

The blizzard from the drawing becomes a reality in the attic, with snow and wind pouring into the room. The Fisher from Eli's drawing appears to be coming towards them, turning their art into a vivid and dangerous experience. In a moment of panic, Eli removes the drawing from the wall, causing the wintery scene to disappear. They are left to contemplate the implications of their drawing's power and the potential dangers of bringing their art to life.

Keywords

💡Foster care system

The foster care system refers to the network of government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other service providers that work together to provide temporary or long-term homes for children who cannot live with their biological or adoptive families. In the script, Morgan's experience in the foster care system is central to her emotional turmoil and her struggle to find a sense of belonging and stability. Her past experiences of being moved from house to house and her fear of being 'kicked out' again highlight the challenges faced by many children in foster care.

💡Emotional turmoil

Emotional turmoil refers to a state of great emotional distress or upheaval. In the script, Morgan's emotional turmoil is evident as she struggles with her feelings of abandonment and her reactions to her current living situation. Her sobbing, racing heart, and difficulty catching her breath are all manifestations of the intense emotional pain she is experiencing, which is a direct result of her experiences within the foster care system.

💡Secret room

A secret room in the context of the script represents a safe haven or a private space where Morgan can escape from her troubles and find solace. The attic, which she initially sees as a place to hide from her foster family, becomes a secret room where she can be alone with her thoughts. This concept is significant as it symbolizes the need for personal space and the desire to retreat from overwhelming circumstances, which is a common feeling among individuals experiencing emotional distress.

💡Blizzard

A blizzard is a severe snowstorm characterized by strong winds and low visibility. In the script, the blizzard serves as a metaphor for the emotional storm that Morgan is going through. The description of her running through the snow in her mind's eye and the later appearance of a blizzard in the drawing that comes to life symbolize the overwhelming and chaotic nature of her feelings. The blizzard also represents the harsh and unforgiving environment that she feels she is navigating.

💡Moccasins

Moccasins are a type of soft-soled shoe traditionally made by Native Americans, often associated with cultural identity and heritage. In the script, the moccasins given to Morgan by her foster parents are a gesture of their attempt to connect with her and acknowledge her cultural background. However, Morgan's rejection of the moccasins reflects her internal conflict and her struggle to accept help or feel a sense of belonging.

💡Connection

Connection refers to the act of linking or associating with someone or something emotionally or intellectually. The script explores the theme of connection through the relationships between Morgan and her foster family, particularly her foster parents' efforts to reach out to her and the bond she forms with Eli. The concept is crucial to the narrative as it highlights the importance of emotional support and understanding in overcoming feelings of isolation and despair.

💡Drawing

In the script, the drawing is a significant element that serves as a creative outlet for Eli and becomes a catalyst for the magical events that unfold. The drawing of the Fisher walking through a snowstorm not only represents Eli's artistic talent but also symbolizes the power of imagination and the potential for art to bridge the gap between reality and fantasy. The drawing's transformation into a window to another world emphasizes the theme of escape and the desire to find solace in a place beyond one's current circumstances.

💡Fisher

The Fisher, as depicted in Eli's drawing, is an animal that plays a central role in the script's climax. It is an enigmatic creature that captures Morgan's attention and seems to be watching her, much like the Mona Lisa's gaze. The Fisher's relentless approach in the drawing-turned-window suggests a sense of pursuit or a force that cannot be escaped, which mirrors Morgan's feelings of being chased by her past and her fears. The Fisher's presence adds an element of mystery and intrigue to the story.

💡Meltdown

A meltdown is an emotional outburst or a sudden loss of control. In the script, Morgan's meltdown is a pivotal moment that leads her to seek refuge in the attic. Her emotional breakdown is a response to the overwhelming feelings of rejection and her history of instability within the foster care system. The term 'meltdown' is used to describe the intensity of her emotional state and serves as a turning point in the narrative, prompting her to find solace in her secret room and eventually connect with Eli.

💡Magic

Magic in the script is both a literal and metaphorical element. Literally, it is represented by the drawing that comes to life, creating a window to another world. Metaphorically, magic symbolizes the transformative power of imagination, creativity, and the unexplainable forces that can change one's perspective or circumstances. The script suggests that magic can be found in everyday life, particularly in the connections we make and the moments of escape we create for ourselves.

Highlights

Morgan's emotional turmoil is palpable as she sprints up the stairs, her breathlessness not from exertion but from crying.

The blizzard scene symbolizes Morgan's internal struggle, as she imagines running through it rather than being trapped.

Morgan's history of instability in foster care is revealed, hinting at her fear of abandonment.

Her self-deprecating thoughts highlight her low self-esteem and the harsh way she talks to herself.

Morgan's fear of being swallowed by darkness is a metaphor for her fear of being consumed by her circumstances.

The contrast between her appreciation for Katie and James and her self-destructive tendencies is striking.

Eli's character is introduced as a source of comfort and understanding for Morgan.

Morgan's impulsive decision to run away is juxtaposed with her contemplation of staying.

The attic becomes a symbol of Morgan's search for a safe haven, a place to gather her thoughts.

Morgan's attempt to open the door in the attic represents her struggle to break free from her past.

The discovery of the box cutter and her determination to open the door show Morgan's resourcefulness.

The transformation of the attic into a secret room signifies Morgan's need for privacy and control.

Eli's drawing of the Fisher animal walking through a blizzard is a poignant reflection of Morgan's journey.

The magical elements introduced with the drawing coming to life add a layer of fantasy and wonder.

The blizzard that erupts in the attic from the drawing is a dramatic turn of events that challenges reality.

Morgan and Eli's teamwork to remove the drawing and stop the blizzard showcases their bond.

The return to normalcy after the blizzard, with the drawing unchanged, leaves the reader questioning what was real.

Transcripts

okay hi there welcome back and it is

chapter 7 if it's my one friend Megan

that's read a whole bunch of chapters

alog together I apologize uh usually I

have a whole bunch read for you but

looks like I've got to get back on it so

chapter 7 Morgan sprinted up two flights

of stairs to the second floor slammed

the door behind her and stopped in the

middle of the hallway she was out of

breath but not from the stairs her chest

was heaving and she couldn't catch her

breath because she was was crying so

hard every time she wiped her cheeks

they were soaked again instantly if her

head were against her pillow right now

and the scene of the blizzard had burst

back into her mind she wouldn't be

trudging through the snow she'd be

running through it her heart was racing

she'd run up the stairs with the

intention of going to her bedroom

packing her clothes and leaving they

were just going to kick her out now

anyway she knew it she'd been removed

from houses before she'd run away from

houses before one way or another with

every house eventually she would be gone

and it would be the same here she bent

over put her hands on her knees and

stared at the

carpet you jerk she forced out between

sobs you stupid J jerk those stupid

jerks she looked up she could hardly see

her room through the tears the open door

and what lay inside was just a blurry

dark

Vortex like if she went in she'd be

swallowed whole and she'd never come out

again she shook her head at the thought

looked down again excuse me and the

tears she'd shaken loose fell to the

carpet making tiny dark blotches in the

fabric she felt like they might swallow

her whole too she felt like everything

might that everything was darkness and

maybe it was better that way to just get

sucked up into it and

vanish no she said panting ing she

didn't want that she didn't want to

leave somewhere else she'd left too many

places and she was tired she couldn't

catch her breath from crying she

couldn't ever catch her breath just from

Life in the foster care system and Katie

and James well they were all right they

were good she'd not had foster parents

like them before yes they fed her banck

yes they'd given her moccasins but Katie

had said they were trying in and well

weren't they was it so bad who'd try to

connect with her like that before even

if she didn't want the moccasins was it

really their fault maybe maybe not she

wanted to pull her head off it was

spinning so hard from the

confusion what just happened she

whispered to

herself and then out of nowhere Eli's

face was in her mind how he was

yesterday how he was today he had

changed so much just in that time he was

talking she was talking he'd asked why

she was so angry and she knew that she

was it was like he knew her as well as

she thought she knew him was she just

going to leave him now and what would

happen to him she tried to even out her

breathing tears kept dripping onto the

carpet on the first floor Dead Silence

she pictured them all just sitting there

stunned she replayed what had happened

slamming the table shouting telling

Katie she wasn't a mother Morgan buried

her fingers into her hair and pulled she

wanted to scream but didn't instead she

turned away from the carpet turned away

from her room and started running she

kept running as far as she could without

running away another two flights of

stairs and she was in the Attic she

looked frantically around the large room

with its Broken Walls and pil of debris

there had to be somewhere to go

somewhere to hide just for a little

while so she could gather herself so

that when they came to get her to drive

her away they couldn't find her she

scanned the room from left to right from

the place where she' read most nights

when Katie and James were asleep all the

way across the painted overd door that

was it nobody had been in there for

forever forever was probable and because

of that if she was able to open it get

to the other side it would be her real

secret place and Eli could come in of

course he could come in but she had to

open that door first Morgan gripped the

door knob turned it and

pulled the door refused to budge she put

both hands on the knob braced her feet

against the baseboard and try it again

there might have been some give she she

might have imagined it but either way

the door looked just the way it had

before the paint layered over door and

frame remained intact in an effort that

she knew would be fruitless born of

frustration she lunged into the door

with her shoulder twice but she only

heard herself come on she stared at the

door from top to bottom waiting for a

thought to come to her then her eyes

drifted to some screws and nails shards

of of wood littered over the plywood

flooor remnants of the ongoing endless

renovation tools she ran to the other

side of the room found the tool bag and

fished through it until she found what

she was looking for a box cutter all she

needed to do was cut around the door and

break the paint seal once that was done

she would be able to open it no problem

if she was able to do it so it wasn't

noticeable great but James never came up

here anyway so it might not even matter

Morgan started at the bottom left corner

and worked her way up the paint was hard

and thick and it felt like she was

sawing through wood still as the minutes

pass she made progress up the side

across the top down the bottom side

opposite side sorry and in less than 10

minutes she' pushed the blade through

the last bit of paint and she stood up

to regard her work triumphantly semi-

triumphantly anybody could totally see

that the paint had been cut

away she would worry about that later

Morgan put her hand on the doorn knob

again twisted and pulled the door jolted

like it was gasping to life as the latch

bolt released she pulled the door open

and was greeted by a waft of stale air

she couldn't see anything inside the

room it was Pitch Black she stood a few

feet from the dark space and stared into

it she waited for her eyes to adjust but

the room stubbornly remained a mystery

until she turned on her phone's

flashlight inch by inch left to right

the room revealed itself H some mystery

it was just more unfinished attic space

about the size of her bedroom the wall

to her left followed the slope of the

whoops roof while the one on the right

was just beams and plywood the other

side of it being the stairwell

the wall facing Morgan showed the brick

outline of the house chimney courageous

now with the flashlight Morgan entered

the room sat down facing the wall and

propped up her phone against the wall at

her side and that was that she would

stay here until her phone died Morgan

hugged her knees to her chest and buried

her face between them acting like an

ostrich again she tried not to think

about anything but it didn't work the

entire day kept forcing itself into into

her head mostly breakfast and

dinner I should just not eat again

problem solved she grumbled and the

tears came back the only difference now

was she wasn't sobbing she was too tired

to sobb the tears just kind of fell and

Morgan didn't care uh for them to stop

she was too tired for that

too after a while she heard the door

open to the second floor and footsteps

leading to one of the bedrooms kti she

guessed the same footsteps started up

the stairs on their way to the attic oh

great she whispered without lifting her

head she knew she had left the door open

which defeated the whole purpose of

having a secret room what kind of secret

room was it if you forgot to shut the

Secret Door when the footsteps reached

the top of the last flight she busily

wiped her eyes and cheeks against her

knees removing the evidence of Tears the

footsteps stopped at the the attic door

and she looked up to find Eli standing

there looking at her and carrying his

drawing pad hey he

said hey she said giving her eyes one

last wipe this time with her sleeve she

sniffled just in case there was any snot

coming out of her nose e how did you

know I was up here well everybody knows

you're up here he said you're kind of

loud oh Morgan buried her face again are

they mad

I think you're getting a pass he said I

don't deserve a pass she said I think

I'm kind of a

jerk sometimes maybe she heard him enter

the room and walked towards her and she

felt the floor compress with each

footstep she felt his shoulder brush

against hers and he sat beside her she

kept her head down she didn't want him

to leave because she didn't want to say

anything he must have known that because

he didn't say anything either they just

sat there on the floor in the secret

room as the battery life of her cell

phone

dwindled sometime later Morgan

sighed the last place I was at she said

they used to tell me that I was part of

their

family I was there for almost two years

I think they had two kids a girl and a

boy and a dog too juie that was the

dog's name Eli did you ever have a dog

he nodded what was its name she asked

and he whispered

red well there family my foster mom's

parents lived in another town it was

like 3 hours away they'd go visit every

other weekend my foster parents the kids

and juie but I never got to go they

would put me in respit care get another

family to look after me while they're

gone Morgan wiped a tear away from her

cheek they took the dog but they didn't

take me finally she looked at Eli

the last time they went away I took off

nobody found me for a few days I don't

know even when they decided to start

looking and then she chuckled I wasn't

hiding I was just running you know and

he said yeah she ran her hands through

her hair pushed loose strands behind her

ear she smiled at Eli because he looked

like he wanted to cry

too I think I wanted them to want me

funny right I wanted them to want me so

I ran away

she shook her head stupid anyway she

clapped her hands to snap them both out

of it they didn't and here I am well

you're not going to run away from here

are you Eli

asked no she assured him I'm not going

to run away good I'm just going to move

up here for like

forever they're not going to get rid of

you you

know maybe but if you're going to stay

up here I made you a housewarming gift

Eli picked up his drawing pad from the

floor he opened it to the first page he

was being really dramatic about it the

big paper facing him and Morgan couldn't

see what he had drawn she tried to

snatch it from him but he pulled it away

you don't tease a girl who just had a

meltdown you know she said okay fine he

turned the paper around to reveal his

work Morgan gasped when she saw it not

that it was scary or shocking but it was

because it was such a wonderful picture

when did you even draw this Katie and

James went into the kitchen and were

Whispering for a long time he said I got

bored can I Morgan reached with both

hands for the drawing and Eli let her

take it she placed the pad on her lap

picked up her phone and sha the light on

the drawing so she could see every

detail an animal being Morgan wasn't

sure what kind of animal it was walking

through a field its arm raised to Shield

its face from the wind and whipping snow

funny its tracks were coming from a

village in the distance it wasn't going

towards it the village all the way

across the field was nestled against a

forest that stretched from one end of

the drawing to the other there were

lights in the houses as she looked

intently at the illustration she started

to hear the same Beats from that morning

as if it wasn't a drawing at all as if

the Beast was walking right towards her

then she realized she wasn't hearing the

animal walking again just the sound of

her heart

pounding there was no wind Eli said huh

Morgan tore her eyes away from the

picture but kept the pad open and on her

lab when I was drawing it he said there

was no

wind

maybe maybe what she she asked maybe it

wasn't coming from the paper he

admitted oh are you sad about that she

asked because he did look sad you wanted

your paper to be like haunted he shook

his head I I guess not exactly she said

magic is Best Kept to books plus magic

drawing pads that shoot cold air it's

kind of lame she held the pad up

inspected the drawing again and this

time heard no heartbeat no footsteps

through snow and there was no cold air

coming into the real world everything

that was was right in front of her the

only mystery was the animal and that was

just because she didn't know it she

asked Eli oh that's a Fisher he said you

saw them where you live she corrected

herself

lived maybe she shouldn't have he

slumped yeah I saw them out in the bush

when I was hunting with with never mind

I saw

them did this come from a story that You

Know M no he said I just kept drawing it

I didn't know what I was drawing I had

this picture in my head all day Morgan

held the drawing close to her

face I think I did too she said absently

not really really to Eli you did he

asked well I was walking instead of the

Fisher but but still she said

weird the creature's black eyes were

watching her and it was creepy

it was like when you know somebody is

staring at you Goose pimples rose on her

arms she moved the drawing pad from side

to side up and down but the Fisher

didn't take its eyes off her she

remembered how Mrs bignal had shown them

how the Mona Lisa didn't stop looking at

you no matter where you were in the room

she taped a poster of the painting and

had the kids move from corner to corner

all over the place she was right this

Fisher was the animal mer version of the

Mona Lisa the odd thing about it was

that she didn't quite want it to look

away we should put it up on the wall she

said I hadn't didn't literally mean it

was for this room Eli said Morgan had

discovered uh the place that Morgan had

discovered

unimpressed Morgan stood up and started

pacing around the small room if Katie

and James know that I'm up here even if

they're not going to kick us out we need

a new even more secret place and this is

it this is our new secret place he

repeated well imagine the possibilities

for the first time all day she felt

excited we could bring up comforters

here pillows I'll bring some books you

bring you know your pencils and stuff I

guess oh we could get one of those

lights that strapped to our heads while

Morgan paced around the room she saw Eli

watching her and it looked to her as

though he was as instructed trying to

imagine the

possibilities really she wasn't asking

much blankets and pillows imagining that

could not have been difficult okay he

said

sure yes Morgan J jumped and clapped her

hands now first things first can I take

the drawing out of this pad Eli nodded

thanks Morgan pulled the drawing out

carefully and then looked around for the

perfect place she pressed it against

each of the walls sliding it around on

every imaginable spot but settled on the

slanting wall the roof of the house she

positioned it so that it was exactly

centered exactly between the roof and

the floor wall to wall can you hold it

just like this Eli stood up and held it

in place good great Morgan placed her

phone back against the other wall

slanting it so the light showered over

the uh

illustration hold it right there she ran

across the attic dug into the tool bag

again and found a staple gun she'd seen

earlier moments later she was back in

their secret place she positioned the

staple gun over the top right corner of

the paper squeezed it and whack a staple

shot into the wood the fixing the paper

to the wall a gust of air blew out of

the paper much stronger than before

Morgan's entire head of hair blew back

as if a hair dryer had been turned on to

maximum

power but as quickly as the guest came

it was gone whoa Morgan said did that

come from the paper Eli

stated it totally did they stared at the

picture then at each other Eli nodded at

Morgan giving her permission to add

another staple another gust of wind this

one's strong longer still and it was

cold it stung Morgan's cheeks already

raw from

crying this cannot be happening she said

and why now and why not when I was

drawing

downstairs good question okay don't

think this is cheesy but maybe we have

to be

together but why I don't know Morgan

threw her hand in the air I'm trying to

think that this is like a fantasy book

maybe we have to be in the

attic H it's kind of sweeter if it's us

not a room I'm just saying sorry just

kidding I'm trying not to freak out

these things don't happen in real life

oh Morgan pressed the staple gun against

another

corner should I yeah thwack an avalanche

of freezing air burst through the paper

and pushed both of them back almost to

the opposite wall and then it was gone

Morgan's hair was crazy like she's just

woken up or stuck a finger in an

electrical socket even Eli's hair

usually perfectly braided slick and

beautiful had strands blown out of place

the attic was cold the wind had come in

like a lightning bolt abruptly stopping

each time and it left behind a lingering

chill there was one corner left to

staple Morgan placed the staple gun

against the the last Corner ready she

asked ready he said

whack the blizzard in the drawing once

just pencil lines stormed into the attic

room the kids stumbled backwards against

the wall Morgan tried to move to the

side out of the way of the wind but

there was no escaping it and this time

it was

unrelenting it wasn't just wind either

snow was pouring into the room so fast

and hard that that it stung against

Morgan's skin she raised her arm in

front of her in front of her face to

Shield it from the onslaught Eli did the

same within seconds the floor was

covered in white flakes Morgan peaked

over armed to look at the paper fastened

to the wall it had been a drawing but

not anymore now it was a window but the

window didn't open to the world just

outside the house it opened to the world

that Eli had created

the world that Morgan Had pictured that

morning she could see the blizzard both

in the attic and in the picture she

could see the near endless field of snow

she could see just barely the tree line

far in the distance she could see

shimmering lights like tiny stars from

The

Village she could see the

Fisher the animal was walking towards

them at first slowly and then it broke

into a run SN snow kicked up behind it

Morgan screamed Eli rushed forward

ripped the paper away from the wood and

the other world was

gone it's ice cold Eli said dropping it

it floated to the ground like a

snowflake Morgan and Eli stood there

staring at each other for a long while

until Morgan

whispered pick up the drawing it was on

the floor and the melting snow was

beginning to dampen the paper I just let

it go why do I have to do it he asked

it's your drawing she said plus I'm

older Eli kicked the drawing first a few

snowflakes coughed out of it but nothing

more he bent over tapped it a few times

and picked it up he turned it over

slowly to reveal that the picture was

exactly as he had drawn it the snow

trees The

Village only now the Fisher seemed close

closer than before stuck in

midun coming right at

them