Shen Lan froze, her pupils contracting.
Though the sun beat down, a deathly chill consumed her.
Not far off stood the swing set her father had built for her with his own hands. He had carved out time from his packed schedule, sanding the wooden seat over and over to ensure not a single splinter would ever prick her skin.
To her left lay a small garden patch, overflowing with jasmine. The delicate
















