Trapped by Nicole Smith Page B

of those ghosts that haven’t realized their dead yet . Mr. Johnst on made himself known as I entered . He seemed surprised . I understood instantly that he i s the reason they were dead. He killed her then turned his shotg un on himself. He glared at me as I walked to the kitchen .
    “I don’t want you here Natalie . Something’s coming for you and I don’t want it to find you here in my house . Leave now,” h e simply stated.
    “I’m leaving , I just need some water . Wait, what’s coming for me? ” I asked, caught off guard by his warning. He didn’t answer as he turned and went outside. I walked in to the kitchen and turned the tap on. I searched the cupboards for a glass. When I finally felt my thirst quench ed enough to carry on, I looked around for a phone.
    “Mrs. Johnston, do you have a phone?” I asked. She pointed to the table beside the sofa in the living room. I walk ed over to it and noticed it dangled off the hook. I gasped as the realization hit me that no one knew they were dead yet. Their bodies haven’t been discovered. I ran back into the kitchen and grabbed a hand towel to wash off all the cupboard handles and the tap. I grabbed the glass and washed it too . I washed the door kn ob leading into the house.
    “I have to get out of here ,” I said aloud . I became frantic. Could someone possibly be setting me up for murder? I felt s o scared I began to shake . Mr. Johnston stood by the door holding his gun. A creepy smile cross ed his face as he glared at me . I think I heard him laugh.
    I took my shoes off as I ran back down their walk way. I grabbed a stick and scrapped up the dirt that showed my footprints leading to their house. I turned back quickly, staring at Mr. Johnston. I needed to know.
    “Who is coming for me?” I asked.
    “You have a few pursuers but the one you should be afraid of the most is yourself. Your demon is after you,” he said looking up at the sky.
    “But you’re not dead yet,” he warned before turning away from me. I ran off the road and into the woods. I would have to find my way through the woods to another house. In my haste to get out of there I forgot to find a coat or a blanket. Panic ro se in me again as I heard a car coming down the road. I ducked behind a tree as the car slo wed in front of the house I just escaped from.
    Two men in dark suits stepped out. I knew it. Someone d id want to have me arr ested for murder? Why would Beth save me and then do this to me? It didn’t make any sense, unless i t wasn’t Beth. Some one followed us when we escaped from Stella. Who could that have been ? Who is following me? Did this person take Beth from me when I fell unconscious? I stepped back from the tree and ran as fast as I could into the woods. I turned to try and follow the direction of the road. I hoped I woul d eventually find someone that w ould lead me b ack home. I had to find Hayden.

CHAPT ER FOUR
    “I don’t know where to look next . I searched Stella’s lair but it has recently been abandoned. A few of her followers remained but they didn ’t know where Stella went, apparently she vanished when Natal ie escaped from her . They assume Stella i s out looking for her too . Clive , I can’t s top looking, I have to find her, ” Hayden shook with anger and frustration. H e felt so close to getting her back but he let her slip through his fingers. He promised to take care of her and now he can’ t even find her . H e couldn’t wait around for a sign. He must keep moving.
    “I hav e only heard from a few Seekers recently. The rumor amongst the dead is that she has escaped from Stella but she has a new stalker now . Some are saying it ’ s her brother, others think it is her father and still others are actually saying it’s a de mon. I have sen t out an alert to everyone I know. S ome thing is going to turn up. Someone is going to have information we can use. We have to be patient. You know she is still alive so d on’t do anything rash,