I watch through the windshield of the parked car as the sun begins to rise above the hills surrounding Kingsbrook. Caitlyn is sleeping across the back seat.
Once I regained my senses in the basement, I ran upstairs to Caitlyn’s room to find her sitting up in her bed.
“Get your things,” I said. “We’re going for a drive.”
In the five minutes it took to pack up some of her things, the house remained still. I stayed by Caitlyn’s side the entire time. When she was done, I picked up her duffel bag, took her hand, and led her out into the hall and down the stairs. I didn’t bother turning off the lights. I wasn’t going to let the shadows anywhere near us.
Caitlyn didn’t say a word. She was resigned to my decision and didn’t protest but stopped at the door.
“Wait! I forgot my medallion! It’s by my bed.” She went to go back upstairs but I gently, but firmly, grabbed her wrist, and led her out the door.
“We’re not going back into this house for a while, okay?”
“But I—”
“Go to the car, please.”
It was more of a command than a request.
He shoulders sagged, but she obeyed.
Ironically, she had reminded me of Nicole’s ring, which was still sitting on the dining-room table. I almost went in to grab it. I started to go through the door, but was stopped by what sounded like a little girl crying at the top of the stairs.
I turned around, walked out, and shut the door behind me.
*
It was late, and I could have gotten us a hotel, but for some reason, I felt safer being on the move in the car. It had followed Caitlyn to school. I worried that it might find us if we stopped, so I kept driving.
As we aimlessly drove around Kingsbrook, I tried to get her to talk.
“Caitlyn, you have to tell me what happened to Katherine.”
“I told you, and you didn’t believe me.”
“I know, pumpkin, and I’m sorry, but I need to know, right now.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she mumbled.
“Caitlyn, please.”
She looked at the back seat. “Can I lie down?”
I couldn’t put her through any more. Not tonight. “Okay.”
She clumsily climbed to the back seat and lay down. She was out in no time.
I continued driving around Kingsbrook. I drove through the town square, past La Piazza, where only forty-eight hours ago, Denise and I had had a wonderful dinner. God, only forty-eight hours ago?
At last, I decided that I had to pull over. I wasn’t tired but I worried that I wouldn’t know I was tired until I smashed the car into a tree.
I found an overlook in the surrounding hills, parked, and now I’m watching the sun come up. Most of the buildings and homes in Kingsbrook are silent shadows, but some of the lights in the windows are starting to come to life.
To the sound of Caitlyn’s snoring, I try to think of what comes next.
One thing is certain; she is never going back in that house. Ever.
*
The sun finally clears the cedars, oaks, and pines.
I know what I’m going to do. I’ve just been waiting to call until I was certain that she would be up.
She answers on the third ring.
“Daniel!” Mildred sings into the other end of the phone. “You’re up early. Want to grab some coffee on the porch? I’ve got a new blend from that shop on the square—”
“Mildred, I need your help.”
*
An hour later, we pull into Mildred’s driveway. Caitlyn stares at the Nightingale House and gives me a look of panic. I reassuringly shake my head.
Mildred’s waiting on her porch. She forces a smile as we walk up.
“Hi, sweetie,” she says, gently stroking Caitlyn’s hair.
“Hi, Mildred,” Caitlyn yawns.
“Let me take your things.”
Caitlyn hands off her duffel bag and Mildred carries it inside.
I crouch down to Caitlyn. “It’s only for a little bit, okay?”
She nods.
“I want you to be really nice for Mildred and if you need anything, you call me.”
She nods again and rubs her eyes.
I hug her tightly. “I love you, pumpkin.”
She hugs me and whispers in my ear. “Don’t go back in there.”
Mildred steps back onto the porch.
“Everything’s ready for you, Caitlyn.”
Caitlyn lets go of me and goes inside.
With Caitlyn gone, Mildred’s demeanor goes from warm and welcoming to concerned.
“I called the school and told them Caitlyn’s sick and won’t be in today.”
“Daniel, what’s going on?”
“There’s … It’s something with the house. I need a few days to sort it out.”
“What? Like a gas leak or something?”
“… Yeah.”
She cocks her head in disapproval at me.
“You know, for an author, you’re a terrible liar.”
“It’s only for a few days.”
“She can stay here as long as she needs … and so can you.”
“Thanks. I may take you up on that.”
“But you’re not going to, are you?”
“We’ll see.”
She throws up her hands in disgust. “Fine. You do what you have to. Don’t worry about Caitlyn. I’m going to make that girl some pancakes.” She turns to go inside but stops. “Be careful, Daniel.”
“I will.”
She shakes her head one last time and goes inside.