New, Original Story. Maybe There's Still Something Left Afterall

Based on a little "What If" scenario, I decided to attempt to write a new story. Surprisingly, it took only a couple months to complete. I imagine some will pick up on what's going on right away. I am being deliberately vague in the first chapter, but all will be clear, hopefully, after second chapter. There are six chapters in all, and the story is a bit over twelve thousand words. I would rate it a mild PG. Things are seldom as they seem. Skim milk masquerades as cream.