Small Steps

[Francoise Dupont]

It had been just over a month since Francoise Dupont had been freed from the psychic coma which had claimed her consciousness. Though she had finally woken from what initially seemed to be an unending nightmare, it had been agreed that she should abstain from any staff duties around the Institute for another month or so, at least until she felt comfortable in her skin again. Until then, she was free to do as she pleased – and yet she found herself still within the grounds of the school, sitting in the shade of a secluded tree. Her eyes were distant, as she looked towards the tiny figures of students playing in the distance, small shadows on the horizon, their voices and laughter faintly audible on the wind. It was all so bafflingly... normal.