Haunting-Adeline

“Daniel,” I snap, catching his a en on. “I don’t want to wait much
longer.”
“Of course, I’ll be sure to hurry,” he placates, appearing more flustered
as others from the table con nue to speak their concern and discomfort.
Another loud crash startles the group, and then seconds later, a booming
crash sounds, causing the guests to jump. Some even rise from their seats,
ready to bolt.
And then, “FBI! GET DOWN ON THE GROUND NOW!”
The rest of the guests jump up now, myself included. Gently, I set Sarah
down beside me but hold onto her arm firmly as the room breaks out into
chaos. The dinner guests sca er like ants, screams and shouts bouncing
around the room.
The door to the dining room crashes open, elici ng more screams.
Several FBI agents storm the room, shou ng out demands for everybody to
get down.
“Let’s go,” I whisper to the girl, a emp ng to guide her towards the
kitchen door.
She struggles and screams for one of the agents, that dormant fire in her
finally erup ng.
I’m so fucking proud of her.
I pick her up and whisper in her ear. “Those FBI agents are with me. I’m
going to take you back home, but I need you to work with me.”
The second the word home leaves my mouth, her struggling ceases. She
looks at me, her brown eyes full of tears.
“You could be lying,” she sniffles, distrust in her eyes. Another surge of
pride overtakes me as I stuff my hand in my pocket and pull out a fake FBI
badge, flashing it to her discreetly—the first lie I’ve truly told her. She
reluctantly concedes, nodding her head. I bolt towards the kitchen door,
not was ng another second.
In the chaos, no one will no ce me slipping out. But if they do, it won’t
hurt my case with Dan. I plan on telling him I did exactly that.
No one is in the lavish kitchen. If anyone were in here before, they
probably ran when they heard the FBI break-in.
I slip out of the back sliding door, making my way across the massive
porch, and towards the stairs.