I thought I was growing too old to carry a child, but I was proved wrong. This only adds to my resolve to start a new life somewhere far away.
—The diary of Megan Jean
Mia could feel Grant’s eyes on her. She didn’t know where he was, but he had to know her exact location.
“I thought this would be easier,” Alex said.
“We have to get inside,” Mia said.
“The glass won’t break.”
With few other options Mia went up to the window and pushed it inward. It fell open with ease.
“So they don’t shatter, but they open wide?” Alex asked.
“It’s a way inside,” Mia said.
She pushed herself up and climbed in through the window. Alex followed her into the dark room. The lights flipped on. They were in a library. If Mia weren’t scared out of her mind she would have been overwhelmed by the number of books.
“How did that happen?” Alex asked.
“He’s letting us know he can see us,” Mia said.
“Is that a good thing?”
“I’m not sure,” Mia said.
A light clicked on in the hall and the library light went off.
“I think we should head that way,” Mia said.
“This is a bad idea,” Alex said.
“We’re still alive, aren’t we?” Mia said.
Mia went out into the hall. That light went off and another lit up.
“He’s leading you right to him,” Alex said.
“I guess we can rule out his wanting to kill me on sight,” Mia said.
They rounded a few more corners and crossed the front foyer. Mia looked to Alex, who nodded.
“We should stop here,” Alex said. “Draw him out.”
Alex’s idea was sound. Mia didn’t know whether to proceed or not, but then she remembered Riley coming in the opposite way. If they gave Grant a second to look away from them he might notice her.
“You know he can hear us,” Mia said.
“I didn’t think about that,” Alex said.
“Grant, stop this,” Mia said. “It’s me you want, and I want Rod. I’ll make a trade.”
Mia dropped her gun on the floor. The light leading the way started flashing on and off.
“If that’s the way you want it, I’m coming armed,” Mia said.
She picked up her weapon again and the lights went dark.
“Fine,” Mia said. “I’ll find you without your trail.”
“This is a bad idea,” Alex said.
“There could be men all around us,” Mia lied. “Don’t be stupid.”
The light came back on and Alex held his gun in front of him. They’d won that battle and continued following the trail of lights. Mia tried her hardest to remember the way to the door. They followed the lights to a giant ballroom. The space of the room was overwhelming. Mia felt too vulnerable. All the lights went out except for one above a single door. Mia half expected the door to open by itself, but it stood closed.
“Are you sure?” Alex asked.
“What option do we have?” Mia asked.