Final answer:
Serafina goes to a tree after school before the earthquake. It is not explicitly mentioned why she chooses to go to the tree, but it could be because the tree provides a vantage point for her to see anyone approaching or because she feels safe and hidden up in the tree.
Step-by-step explanation:
Serafina goes to a tree after school before the earthquake. In the text, it is mentioned that she climbs up the tree, stands on a branch, and looks around. She is waiting for someone to come and find her, possibly the stranger mentioned in the passage. It is not explicitly mentioned why she chooses to go to the tree, but it could be because the tree provides a vantage point for her to see anyone approaching or because she feels safe and hidden up in the tree.