Welcome to Stories from Among the Stars.

You're listening to The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Clune,

narrated by Daniel Henning.

6.

Linus Baker, for what it was worth, did care about the children he was tasked with observing.

He didn't think one could do what he did and lack empathy,

though he couldn't understand how someone like Miss Jenkins had ever been a caseworker

before being promoted to supervision.

And so when faced with a perceived threat,

and even though everything felt topsy-turvy,

Linus did the only thing he could. He moved to protect the children. Talia squawked angrily as he

shoved her behind him towards Sal and Chauncey. "'What are you doing?' He ignored her. The ringing in his

ears he'd heard since he'd arrived on the island, now turning

into a full-blown roar. He took a step toward the open door, and he swore on everything he had

that the darkness settling outside had somehow gotten darker. He believed if he stepped out onto

the porch, the stars above would be blotted out, and all that would remain would be eternal night.

What's going on? Choncy whispered behind him.

I have no idea, Talia said irritably.

Sal barked nervously, a high-pitched yip.

Probably, Talia said.

Linus took a step toward the door. He should have realized that accepting

this assignment was going to be the last thing he'd do. He wondered if Lucy had already taken out

...