The Childe (38 page)

Cat pondered her night ahead. Her choices were playing a board game with her parents, watching crappy television or burying her nose in a book.
Joy oh joy,
she thought. Climbing up the ladder to the roof, Cat scurried onto the widow’s walk. She had to be quiet, her mom made it quite clear that she hated her doing this. Sitting down she saw a tiny golden figure dart from the tree in front of her and land on the roof. “Jewels! Hey stranger, where have you been?” she asked rubbing behind her ears, smiling as Jewels purred with delight. “Did you hear through the cat grapevine that I was grounded?” A knock at her bedroom door had Cat zipping off the roof. She slid into her room, plopped on her bed and pretended to read. Jewels followed and jumped up beside her.

“Hey Cat, can I come in?” Taylor’s voice was muffled through the door.

“Sure,” she responded watching as the door opened and he entered.

“Geez I must’ve grown a lot since I last came up here. That stairwell’s really tiny,” he said standing beside her bed. Looking him up and down, she let out a loud wolf whistle and to her amazement, he blushed. Though he looked very sharp in his black tuxedo, she giggled to herself when she realized he was wearing chucks instead of dress shoes. “Cat, I need to be serious for a minute. What do you think of this corsage I bought for Trish? Do you think she’ll like it?” Taylor handed Cat the box. It was beautiful, a delicate orchid that she knew their mom had special ordered for him. She had never seen her brother so unsure of himself.
The love bug has bitten him good,
she thought. The teasing remark that sprang to her mind was forgotten.

“This is the most beautiful flower I’ve ever seen Taylor. I know she’ll love it,” Cat replied smiling sincerely.

“Thanks Cat.” He took the corsage back from her outstretched hand and stared down at it.

“You better get a move on. Your Cinderella’s waiting,” she said looking at her bedside clock. Leaning down, Taylor quickly hugged her and then rushed out of the room. Slumping back against the pile of pillows on her bed, Cat let the shock of what just transpired soak in. “Can you believe it Jewels? He asked my opinion and hugged me! What’s up with that?” She swore she saw Jewels smile at her remark as she jumped from the bed and out the window into the night. “She’s such a free spirit, I wish I could come and go as easily as that.”

Rachel’s heart was pounding as she ran up the attic stairs. “Cat! Cat!” she cried, as she flung open her bedroom door. “Claire’s on the phone!” she said in a breathless voice. “Julie’s in the background crying hysterically and won’t calm down. Claire wants you to try and talk to her.” She handed Cat the phone. Cat could hear Julie sobbing in the background as Claire was telling her to calm down and take the phone. She could hear her friend mumbling over and over.

“I should have known! I should have known! Why wasn’t I told?” The voice became louder as she realized the phone was pressed up against Julie’s mouth.

“Julie what’s wrong?” Cat asked, chilled by the desperation she heard in Julie’s voice.

“Oh Cat!” she wailed. “She’s missing!”

“Who’s missing?” she demanded, clinging to the phone.

“Linda…she’s gone…vanished!”

“Linda?” Cat repeated anxiously. “But we just saw her in Madison two days ago!” Tears welled up in Cat’s eyes.

“Her mom and dad are on TV! It’s all over the local news!” Cat grabbed the remote and watched as Jillian Brown, Astoria’s favorite news reporter, appeared on the screen. She was standing in front of a very familiar house, Linda’s. Cat and Julie had spent numerous hours studying and hanging out there. Happy times. A numbing despair came over Cat.

“Cat,” Claire said into the receiver, “put your mom on the phone again, please sweetie.” She handed Rachel the phone as if in a trance.

“Cat honey”, Rachel said in a choked voice. She looked up at her mom, tears streaming down her face. “Claire’s bringing Julie over. We both think you should be together tonight. I’ll be right back, I’m going to go let them in,” she said kissing Cat’s forehead and then headed downstairs. Cat felt large warm arms embracing her. She looked up into her father’s worried eyes.

“Dad why is this happening?”

“I don’t know sweetheart, I just don’t know.” He felt a stab of pain as he watched his only daughter’s shoulders shake with silent sobs. The next thing Cat remembered was another’s arms embracing her, holding her so tight she could hardly breathe. Julie hung on for dear life, tears soaking Cat’s shirt. Cat raised her head and saw the three adults retreating from the room. Both mothers sobbed as Sam tried to console them. Cat made shushing noises as tears ran down her face, continuing to hold Julie tight.

A while later, Rachel tip toed into Cat’s room and found the two fast asleep. She reached down and adjusted the comforter on the bed and then retraced her steps back downstairs to the meeting being held in the study. “Aldon, we have to find out who’s doing this. Now! Before any other children are taken! I know the police said the first girl’s body looked like an animal had done this, but I feel that it’s beyond their expertise! We need to research this more ourselves!”

“Roland, I know you are worried, we all are. I had a meeting with Ivan Beckford and he assured me that he is just as concerned as we are about the situation. I had the feeling he was not quite truthful about who might be doing this, but I know it is none of his group. This I feel is true. The prom is secure and nothing or nobody will get through.”

“How long do you think that will last? How can we protect the children twenty-four hours a day?” Roland asked, anger filling his voice.

“As long as it takes until this monster can be stopped,” Aldon replied looking around the room at the others gathered. “Now, I want everyone to go to the prom and help get the children home. We do not need to alarm them. I just talked to Abigail and she is going to make an announcement to the students in about an hour, letting them know what has happened. Hopefully, she will be able to convince the students to let you all escort them home. We cannot reach all of the parents. Some might not know what has transpired this evening. That is why it is up to us to ensure the safety of everyone. Any questions or comments? Good, let us make haste.” Aldon watched as the group left the room. Sam gave Rachel a quick kiss and told her to stand watch until he returned. She stood on the porch and watched as the last car left the driveway heading toward the school.

Abigail Landers addressed her faculty assembled in the hallway outside the gym. “I know this is going to be hard but we have to make it work. Our responsibility is to ensure all these students arrive home safely tonight. I will make an announcement shortly. I have been informed that a group of parents are on their way to act as escorts. No one, I repeat, no one, is allowed to leave on their own. If you have any problems I will back you up. And thank you for your help.” Turning, she walked back into the gym
. We have to find out who is doing this! I know Aldon said he talked to Ivan, but I feel it’s time for a combined meeting with both sides sitting at the table,
she thought, surveying her students. Looking at her watch, she figured she would give them a little while longer to enjoy themselves before breaking the somber news.

An hour later, Abigail whispered to the DJ and the music stopped. The students all turned to look at the stage. “Everyone, can I have your attention? I have just been informed that another young lady has disappeared. She was a freshman from Madison Prep. I need your help in making sure that all of you get home safely. I know some of you feel that you’re too old to listen to me and nothing could possibly happen to you. But I know you will appreciate that this is a very serious matter that should not be treated lightly. Parents and teachers are standing by to escort you home. Those of you who came in groups of four or more in a vehicle, I would like for you to exit the gym through the main doors now. You will receive instructions on how to arrive home safely. Those of you, who came in pairs, please move to the right side of the gym and the rest please move to the left.”

It took an hour for the gym to clear. Abigail turned out the lights, locked the doors and walked to her car. It came as no surprise to see Aldon standing by waiting for her. “Abigail you did a great job tonight. Now we have to make sure they stay safe. I am going to meet with the mayor and the sheriff tomorrow and see what they have found.” Her tired eyes smiled at him.

“I know you will find out who’s doing this and stop them, I just know you will,” Abigail said patting her arm.

The last two weeks of school seemed to last forever. Security at school and around town was tight. The streets were empty by seven each evening, even though it was still light out. Nobody walked by themselves. In fact, it was odd to see just two people walking together. Even young mothers with babies could be seen walking their children only if escorted by a male or several other females. No sign of Linda or the other two girls had been found. Cat and her friends had become closer than they ever thought possible. Even Matt had stopped with his practical jokes and acted like the group’s personal body guard. Since Linda’s disappearance, Cat had noticed that Ryan had practically been attached to her hip.

Standing in front of her locker, a small hand came into view. Cat turned and Hannah gave her a big smile. “Cat, how you holding up?” Hannah asked as Cat tried to smile, but instead tears filled her eyes. Turning, Cat faced her locker again.

“You know I’m always here for you Cat, if you need to talk.”

“Thanks Hannah. I’ve got to run before I’m late for Mr. Crawley’s class,” she replied quickly squeezing Hannah’s arm and running down the hallway, tears streaming down her face. Ryan came around the corner and saw her distress but couldn’t reach her before she disappeared into the classroom. Hannah came up beside him.

“Ryan, poor Cat is so upset. I don’t know how I would feel if someone I loved were missing!” Ryan nodded his head. He would find her after school, he promised himself.

With her locker cleared out, Cat slammed it closed and leaned against it. “I’m so glad today is over,” she told herself. She felt like she could sleep for days but every time she closed her eyes she would see Linda’s face and sorrow would engulf her. Julie didn’t look any better. Ever since Linda’s disappearance, Julie seemed to act like it was her fault she was gone. No one could convince her otherwise. The end of school was supposed to be a celebration, but instead it was full of mourning and dread. Pushing herself away from the locker, Cat walked down the hallway to meet her friends in the parking lot. Looking down, she didn’t see the person in front of her until she bumped into them. Raising her head she saw Ryan standing before her. His eyes filled with concern.