“She had a vague feeling that something was coming to an end, and something was about to begin; soon everything will change, and it will never be the same as it is now. Before you have time to look back, time will rush at full speed, and the future will suddenly appear at a crossroads... The children whispered that an angel fell to the ground during a thunderstorm. Someone swore that they saw the signs. Traces on the grass, black feathers, a fire in the forest behind the school, where scarlet coals were still smoldering.”