Free The Childe by C. A. Kunz

interjected.
    “Sounds great. So Trish can we maybe celebrate another time?” Trish nodded.
    “Oh Cat you can’t leave yet. It’s early. Hang out with us. We can take you home, right girls?” Kirsten looked at the two lackeys beside her, each nodding in agreement, mimicking bobble heads.
    “Thanks Kirsten, but I think I’ll pass. I’m not really feeling too hot anyway. See Taylor, you don’t have to worry about me any more tonight. I’m going home,” Cat said flashing a fake smile to her brother.
    “Great! Now I’ll have three hours of peace, not worrying if you’ll get into any more trouble. Oh yeah, and congrats Red Freak on making the swim team,” he said turning and following Jonathen, as he led their group toward their cars.
    “Love you Taylor!” Cat yelled, watching his shoulders stiffen as her voice carried above the crowd. Chuckling, she turned and said goodbye to a forlorn Kirsten and followed her friends to the parking lot.
    “Did you get a load of Miss Kirsten Fuller? Did she really think she was fooling anyone by making those goo goo eyes at Taylor? And with Trish standing right there? Some nerve she has,” snorted Amanda.
    “I feel sorry for her,” Elle commented.
    “Hey if I was Taylor I’d be all over that,” Matt interjected.
    “You would you immature male chauvinist pig,” Amanda said, punching him in the arm as she spoke.
    “Ow, that hurt,” he whined, rubbing his arm.
    “What a wuss!” she groaned.
    A loud horn blasted from across the parking lot announcing Amanda’s mom, sitting in a drab grey van. She waved and smiled at them as they approached and opened the doors. Cat loved Aurora Stevens. Her unique outfits, which would have looked awful on most people, suited her to a tee. Her house was just as colorful and eclectic, with fun furniture, antiques, modern art, hippie stuff and everything in between. The confusing part was that Mr. Stevens, the ultimate number crunching banker who was very rarely ever seen without a suit and tie, was her husband. I guess the old saying is true, Opposites do attract.
    “You kids have a good time?” Aurora asked as they all got settled.
    “Yeah, we did,” replied Amanda smiling at her mom.
    “I love your outfit, Mrs. Stevens,” Matt said with a mischievous grin.
    “Thank you Matthew, it’s my Victorian look. Found it in the attic of an estate sale. Fits perfectly! I think I’m going to keep it.”
    “By the way, what’s with the new paint job Mrs. Stevens?” Cat asked.
    “Oh that. Yes, well I can’t wait for it to be finished. The man at the auto shop said he had to put this gosh awful color on first before he could paint it. Primer I think he called it. Whatever it is, it sure offends my eyes. So, everyone buckled in? Well off we go then!”

     
    “Just me coming to say goodnight,” Rachel said softly walking into Cat’s room.
    “So glad you had a good time tonight. I’m bushed. We had a busy day at the shop…well, I’m off to bed. Love you honey.”
    “Love you too mom, g’night,” Cat said lifting her face for her mom’s kiss. Cat was glad she hadn’t told her mom about what really happened at the carnival. She would only worry.
    Closing the door, Rachel stood outside the room and sighed. Jeremy Cummings had called Sam a couple of hours ago to make sure Cat was alright. Rachel was hoping Cat would tell her about the incident in the House of Mirrors and she wondered why she hadn’t. Jeremy’s the son of one of Sam’s colleagues and a good paramedic. He had no idea that Cat wouldn’t tell them, and for now Rachel would just let it go. Sam told her they would just keep a closer eye on Cat to see if there were any further issues. He tried to reassure her that everything would be okay, but she knew that things were likely to get worse. Wishing she knew what to expect, Rachel walked down the old creaky attic staircase with melancholy eyes.
    Hearing a scratching noise at the window, Cat opened it as Jewels