On one side of the glossy, red, cherrywood desk is a balding man in a well tailored suit. On the other, an aging woman with lifeless eyes, accompanied by a small, whimpering girl.
The man says in a monotone voice, "As you know ma'am, I'm Mr. Malhotta, your late husband's attorney. I've asked you and your daughter here today because before your husband's passing, he wrote his last will and testament and left it with me. Mr. Malhotta pulls an envelope out of a desk drawer and clears his throat while he opens it before beginning to read from the papers within.
As the lawyer drones on, the grieving widow day dreams about happier times when her family was whole. Spending holidays in lodges along the Chambal River, the birth of their daughter, celebrating birthdays with picnics on sunny days. Suddenly, her reminiscing is interupted by Mr. Malhotta, "I'm sorry madam, but as I was saying, your husband has arranged to have you and your daughter move to America. He hoped this would give her a better chance for a life with more opportunities. He also left one small matter to be decided by you." He pulls out a wooden box with strange engravings on it. "Mr. Rashadi wanted you to decide what to do with this box. The only thing he had to say about it is that he does not want it to stay in your family." He hands the box to Mrs. Rashadi and says, "I'll contact you soon with details about youe flight. I suggest you begin packing soon."
With a sigh belonging to a woman that has lost something more important than the Sun itself. "Thank you Mr. Malhotta, we'll be taking our leave now."
TWO MONTHS LATERMrs. Rashadi pensively watches her daughter play with the ancient looking block that had been found in the strange wooden box her husband had left her. She hadn't been able to bring herself to part with one of the few remaining items belonging to her husband. Instead, she had decided to give it to their daughter to remember her father by. Although she wasn't sure her daughter understood where her new toy came from, it seemed to make her happy. During the entire trip to New York, little Lily had been playing with the block with her imaginary friend, Toto. Suddenly, Lily begins crying and looking out the window of the cab in which they're riding. Mrs. Rashadi hushes her and asks what's wrong. Through the tears, Lily replies, "I dropped Toto. Now he's all alone Mommy. He's going to be so scared,"
As the cab drives off into the distance, the block tumbles to a stop in the road in front of the Academy of Heroes and Villains. While car after car drops off the new students at the Academy and the children and teens walk around the totem, a strange, haunting laugh can be heard emanating from the wood.
The totem: