She then stands, clasping her hands in front of her.I hearmovement and turn to the door to see Helena approaching.I take a deep breath,preparing myself.
“Helena.I expected you a lot sooner.”
“Yes, well… I’ve been busy.”
She glances at Anna and dismisses her with a flick of thewrist.Anna casts one last pleading look my way before walking out, her headdown.
“So… what can I do for you today, Helena?”
***Ethan***
I pick up my cell phone without even looking at the name onthe screen.
“Hello.”
“Uncle Ethan, it’s Anna.”
“Anna.What—”
“You need to get home.Casey needs you.”
“What?What happened?”Silence.“Hello?Anna?”
She’s gone.What the hell is going on?I dial Casey’snumber and get no answer.Same thing when I try Clara.Even the house phonegoes unanswered.Fuck!What now?Charlie looks up as I pass him on theway out.
“What’s up, boss?”
“Cryptic call from Anna about Casey.I’m going to check onher.”
“You need me?”
“No.Stay here.I’ll call as soon as I know what’s going on.”
As I hop in the truck, my anxiety starts to get the betterof me.Anna.Why didn’t I think of her sooner?After all, she was one of thelast people to speak with Casey that night.She knows something.Now she saysCasey needs me.Holy Christ.I press down on the accelerator and pray I won’tbe too late.Why did I relieve Sam and Brad?I was foolish to think she’d besafe at the house.
I notice Clara’s car is gone as I pull into the driveway.Ican’t believe she left Casey alone.She better have a damn good explanation.Taking the stairs two at a time, I hurry to our room.
“Casey?”
I turn the handle but the door is locked, so I lean againstit, breaking the lock.Stepping inside the empty bedroom, I look aroundcautiously.
“Casey?”I check the bathroom, but it, too, is locked.“Casey,open the door.”
A tortured sob comes from inside, and I push against thedoor.I die a million horrible deaths when I see her sitting in the tub, theblade of a knife pressed to her wrist.My heart pounds in my ears and my mouthgoes dry.
“Please… Put the knife down.”
“No, stay back!”
“Casey, don’t do this.”
“Why?I have nothing to live for.”
“You have me.We have each other.”
“No….”
She closes her eyes, and I use the opportunity to moveforward and snatch the knife from her fingers.
