#Chapter 68: Chipper

Ardal The bats are out. Their leathery wings flutter in the sky overhead, their dark bodies casting a silhouette against the pale morning light. “Are those vampires,” Ezra asks, as we stare up at the sky, all of us rooted to the porch. I take a drink of my coffee, letting its warmth soak into me before addressing. "No, they're just little animals, completely harmless." I pat his head. "They're on their way back to their roost a little late, though." I take a breath, trying to ready myself for the day. "Okay, let's get going," I say, trying to break through whatever spell we've found ourselves under. I motion for the quints to hop in the van. They groan their useless protests, picking up their backpacks and lunchboxes with little huffs, and grumbling while they tote their things to the car. "Last week of school," I say cheerily. "You can do it!" “What are we going to do this summer,” Milo asks, climbing into our van. I start the engine. “