Chapter 1

The diner was slow, just a few truckers nursing coffees. I wiped down the counter again, my thoughts on Leo, my five-year-old, safe at preschool. My phone buzzed on the counter. A notification from the preschool' s parent Facebook group. Usually, it was lost sweaters or bake sale reminders.

This was different.

Maria, Chloe' s mom, had posted. Her words were frantic, a jumble. "CHLOE TRIED TO FLY!!! Off the balcony! Bedsheet! Mr. Giggles! Candy Cloud Kingdom! Cosmic Critters! HELP!"

My stomach tightened. Chloe was in Leo' s class.

Ms. Albright, Leo' s teacher, commented quickly. "Maria, there's no Mr. Giggles here. No staff, no volunteer by that name. I'm checking security footage now. Please call me."

A few minutes later, Ms. Albright updated: "Security cameras show Chloe playing normally all day. No unauthorized individuals."

I clocked out, my mind racing. A prank? A bad dream Chloe had?

At home, Leo was quiet during dinner. Too quiet.

"Everything okay at school, sweetie?" I asked.

He pushed his peas around. "Mr. Giggles is a shadow man with spider legs."

A chill went down my spine. "Who' s Mr. Giggles, Leo?"

"He told Chloe she could fly to the Candy Cloud Kingdom. From her favorite cartoon."

My breath caught. Maria' s post.

"He said only special kids can see him," Leo added, his voice small.