Hi, we're Backmarket. We sell expertly refurbished tech, like phones for talking to your friends, or your AI babysitter. Now playing rock-a-bye baby in style of Norwegian black metal. Either way, this expertly refurbished tech costs way less than you, guaranteed by the Backmarket promise, one-year warranty, and 30-day free returns on every purchase. Up next, twinkle twinkle little star, Grindcore remix. Backmarkets, where the world shops refurbished tech. Ava's hand held tightly to the strangers as the river roared beneath them. For a minute, it felt like time had slowed down. She felt herself being lifted upward, her feet kicking as she dangled above the rising flood. Then she felt her feet land on dry ground as she stood there soaked and shivering. The stranger was already crouched beside her. Are you okay? They asked softly. Whoever this person was, their voice was gentle and friendly, and finally, she saw them clearly. It was another kid, just like her. Same age, maybe even the same height. Their clothes were muddy, their hair stuck to their forehead, and they had a sketchbook clutched tight to their chest. Yeah, I think I'm okay, Ava said. They sat in silence for a moment as they both caught their breath. Then, even though she was still shivering, she smiled. Hey, you're the one who's been drawing. The other kid looked down shyly and smiled. Yeah, it's me. And they both laughed. My name's Ava, she said. I'm Tommy, the kid replied. And just like that, the valley didn't feel so lonely anymore. Tommy stood further ahead and said, Come on, there's a hollow tree up ahead where we can wait until the rain stops. The two kids walked through the forest as the rain kept coming down. Eventually, they came to a huge, old tree. And just like Tommy said, there was a big, hollow space inside, almost like a small room. They stood there together and listened to the storm outside as it passed overhead. I've been coming here ever since my family moved here last year, Tommy said. This is my favorite place. Yeah, me too, said Ava. I only found it because there aren't any other kids who live around here. And I didn't know what else to do. So I went exploring and I found it. I didn't think anyone else even knew about this. I know, right? Tommy said, That's the same reason I found it. I saw your drawing and I had never seen anyone else who liked to draw as much as I did. So I figured I'd put mine there just in case you ever came back so you could find it. And they looked at each other and realized it wasn't just a river or a meadow. And it wasn't just Ava's or Tommy's. It was a secret place, a shared place. Hey, where do you live anyway? Said Tommy. I thought my family was the only one that lived around here. Seriously, I didn't know there were any other houses nearby. Where is your house? Oh, it's just up the way a little bit. You want to come see it? Said Ava. Sure. Said Tommy. As the storm slowly passed, the two kids got out from the hollow tree and started walking toward Ava's house. And as they reached the edge of the trees, Ava pointed up the hill. That's my house just right up there. Tommy stopped in his tracks. His eyes locked onto the roof, the windows, and the parked car in the driveway. Wait, what is that place? He asked his voice barely a whisper. Ava blinked. Well, what do you mean? It's just my house. Does your house not look like this? But Tommy didn't move. He just stood there frozen, staring at Ava's house like it had fallen from the sky. Ava asked, what, so you've never seen a house before? Not like that, Tommy said slowly. It's got glass all over it. And what is that? As he pointed to her family's car in the driveway. Ava laughed, thinking he was joking. That's just a car. Tommy looked at her with a blank stare. You know, a car? It's what people drive in to get places. Tommy kept staring. You mean like a carriage? But with no horses? Ava stared at him. Wait, are you joking? But Tommy shook his head. No, that's not a carriage. That's something else. Tommy, are you okay? She stared at him and she could see he wasn't joking. He looked genuinely confused, even kind of scared. Then to her surprise, he started walking slowly toward the car. He walked around it carefully, keeping his distance, as if it might suddenly come to life. He crouched down to inspect the wheels and then stood on his toes to peer into the windows. So wait, do people sit inside this metal box? He asked. It's not a box, Ava said. It's a car. You know, you press a button and it turns on. Tommy stepped back like she had just told him it could fly. He turned to the house again. His eyes darted from the windows to the metal door handle to the blinking light on the doorbell. And then a faint click came on from the side of the house. The porch light blinked on automatically, casting a warm glow over the steps. Tommy froze. That light, he whispered, did something just catch on fire? Ava glanced over. Fire? No, that's just our porch light. It turns on automatically, like when it gets dark. It's got a motion sensor on it. Tommy turned to her with his eyes wide. A what? Yeah, you know, it senses movement, she said slowly. But Tommy wasn't even listening to that part. He was still staring at the bulb. His voice was shaky. You have light without fire? Ava blinked. Well, yeah, it's electric. Tommy took a step back. Yeah, I think I've heard electricity before, but I've never seen it on someone's house like that. So your house has electricity running through it to turn on lights? But how does it see us and do that on its own? That's like magic. And for the first time, Ava really saw it in his face. Tommy wasn't just surprised. He was completely, truly awestruck. They stood in silence for a moment. And then Tommy turned and pointed back toward the woods. That tree we crossed, the one over the river? I've walked this valley a hundred times, but that tree was never there before. It was there when I found the river. Ava said, it's how I got across. Yeah, Tommy said, it's there now, but it must have just fallen down over the river last week. That's when I found your first drawing. Before that, that fallen tree wasn't there. I got to go, Tommy said, as he suddenly turned and sprinted back into the woods. Wait, where are you going? Ava called out. I need to get home. I need to check if just meet me back at the river tomorrow. Okay. Okay. Ava shouted after him. She watched him disappear between the trees. His muddy shoes kicking up bits of wet grass. Ava stood alone in the clearing now. She turned slowly toward her house. It looked the same, but now it felt different. She could still hear the wind rising through the woods behind her. But this time it carried something unfamiliar, something strange, something like a whisper from another time. But that's a story for another day.
