CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT
(part three)
Friday evening — 6:06 P.M.
Sandy pulled into the Castle driveway. Always vigilant, Sandy noticed the dogs didn’t come to greet her. Uneasy, she pulled forward to park behind Jill’s Lexus. At least everyone was here.
“We must be late,” Sandy said.
“Nah, dinner is at seven,” Nash said. “Bet Mrs. Valerie is already here. They’re probably already celebrating. She makes the party.”
“I don’t mind being late! I love love love love ice cream!”
Laughing, Sandy got out of the driver’s seat. She scanned the backyard for anything out of the ordinary. Nothing stood out. She went around the car to where the kids waited for her. They moved across the driveway toward the Castle.
“Sandy!” Jill called. “Sandy!”
“Sandy,” Noelle stopped and pointed to Jill.
They could just see Jill’s face over the edge of the building. She was peering out of a broken window in the chapel. Jill waved for them to come over to her. Sandy ran over to Jill. She dropped to her knees.
“What’s wrong?” Sandy asked. “What’s happened?”
“I don’t know,” Jill said. “Something is happening. Jacob made us go down here. He said we were in danger. We keep hearing crashes upstairs and people crying and screaming.”
Without hesitation, Sandy helped the kids into the Chapel. Noelle went over to Katy and the girls hugged. Noelle pulled a doll out of her backpack for the Katy to play with. Not sure what to do with himself, Nash reached for Sandy’s hand. Sandy smiled at him.
“Would you mind checking on Paddie?” Sandy asked Nash.
“You want to talk to Jill alone,” Nash said.
“I want to talk to Jill alone.”
Nash wandered over to Paddie.
“What’s going on?” Sandy whispered.
“I don’t know,” Jill said. “Katy says I have to… you know. She says it’s the only way to get through this… without everyone dying.”
Sandy nodded. The two close friends shared a long look. Jill shook her head.
“I can’t. Never again,” Jill said.
“Just because you didn’t save your father doesn’t mean…”
The women looked up as Mike carried Valerie into the Chapel.
“Please Jill, Valerie’s losing the babies. She’s dying,” Mike said. “Please. Please.”
Denver Cereal continues tomorrow…