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The next morning Kay went to Allie’s room and knocked on the door, but there was no answer. She knocked again. “Allie... Kitten… you up in there?” No answer, so she knocked once more. Worried by the lack of response, Mrs. Carter turned the doorknob and went into the room. She saw Allie’s bed was made, but still, a wave of panic struck her. She became frightened and started to shake. In her chest, her heart pounded.
“Allie!”
She ran to the bathroom. She knocked quickly and flung open the door: it, too, was empty. Frantically, she hurtled back into Allie’s room and checked that the window was locked.
Kay screamed her name again as she ran down the stairs to the back door. The dead bolt was unlocked and the door was open. She took a deep breath. Everything was all right; Allie was just out back. Yet, when she went outside, she saw the backyard just as empty. She walked all around the house and then to the back again. Perhaps she was at school already?
“Good morning, Lucient Central.”
“Hello, this is Mrs. Carter on Wilshire road; I didn’t see the bus today and wondered if school was in session.”
“Oh hello, Mrs. Carter. There was a route change because of an unplanned event. Your daughter didn’t tell you of the change?”
Relief flooded her. The tightening around her heart eased. “No, she didn’t.”
“Do you want me to get her out of class? I think they are taking a test but I can check for you.”
“No, no, no, that is all right. How long will there be a new schedule?”
“Just for today is all, Mrs. Carter. Everything will be back to normal tomorrow.”
“Thank you. Goodbye for now.”
“Goodbye, Mrs. Carter.”
Kay hung the phone up and sat on the couch. She placed a hand over her chest, rubbing, urging her frenzied heart to calm itself. “Thank God!” she whispered to herself.
Cavers: A Vampire Tale Page 10