The moment I breathed the air outside instantly something about it just hit me different.
Thunderstorm had pretty much turned the entire front of the house into a cluttered, wet mess that even a full day's raking and scorching sun shining wouldn't solve - but that's not what was different about it.
Maybe it was the lack of ignorance, knowing what I know now, being made aware of what encircled my childhood home all these years, but the surroundings felt… lighter, somehow more tranquil in a way… even with the rain still drizzling down from the porch roof.
"You really did take it down, huh?" Sammy remarked, keeping me steady again down the rickety steps. "I don't know how impressive that is in terms of magical feats but if it really was Mom that placed it herself, and considering what she is… that's gotta be pretty impressive, right?"