The journey to the mansion’s bottom floor was uneventful, but instead of allaying Simon’s fears, this only increased them. They had started stealthily from River’s room, working at a measured pace with Simon leading the way. But somewhere in the past few minutes that had changed and Simon found himself following his sister instead. Hurrying to stay only an arm’s length away from her, he almost ran into her back as she stopped abruptly at a corner, frozen.

Wondering what was up, Simon waited for River to turn and the look in her eyes said everything – whoever it was, they did not want the best for the siblings. Wishing against anything he had a weapon, Simon waited for River to make a move. While she was still shaking slightly with fear, her footsteps had become more assured as they had made their way toward freedom. Simon was pleased to see her recovering so quickly; it meant she really was getting better.

Turning again to face him, River leaned her head towards Simon’s and he met her halfway. “On the count of three,” was all she whispered.

Simon nodded once and watched as River held up a hand and extended her pointer finger than her middle and finally her ring finger and grabbing his arm at the wrist, pulled him around the corner they’d been using for cover.

Across the hall, Simon saw a pool of yellow light disappear as whoever it had been closed the door to the study. Breathing a small sigh of relief, the siblings were almost to the grand foyer when River again tensed. Hugging the wall, she pulled Simon down to the floor so they were crouching in a shadow, barely out of reach of the moonlight that spilled through the windows above the double doorway. Simon’s heart raced as he realized that if someone entered the room, they had no where better to hide.

River glanced to him again and the desperation he saw in her face broke his heart. She was afraid, more than afraid – terrified – and Simon cursed silently that he’d let anyone, especially their father, get so close. This was Simon’s fau