uncovered power outlets. Don’t let her stick anything in those outlets, okay Mrs. Coggington, she thought.
The place suddenly looked a lot emptier.
“Don’t worry,” Jenny reassured her daughter. “I’ll get you some toys while I’m out. Mrs. Coggington is coming to baby-sit you today. You two can play and watch some movies together. I might even bring you back some ice cream when I come home. That reminds me: I left your diapers in the car. I’ll be right back okay?”
Kip nodded and carried on kicking her feet against the dining table chair.
She slipped her flip-flops on at the door and hurried out onto the porch. “Ouch! What now?” Dazed, Jenny looked up to see a black lantern swaying from a hook above the door.
“Huh?” She looked around; there was no sign of anyone or anything. Reaching up, she unhooked the lantern and took it back inside, shutting and locking the door behind her. There was something wrong. She could feel it. The lantern certainly had not been there before.
Maybe I should leave it? She picked up the police officer’s card from the kitchen table and looked at the number.
“Where’s my phone anyway? And where’s Charlie? Charlie? CHARLIE!” There was no sign of the dog. “Kip, have you seen Charlie?”
“Charlie,” Kip replied.
“No honey. You haven’t seen him?” My phone. The dog. What next? she thought. Oh, and the psycho stalker. Don’t let me forget that guy.
Jenny searched every level, from the bottom floor to the family and guest bedrooms, through the master bedroom, and even the hex room, all with Kip in tow. The phone was nowhere to be found. Neither was Charlie. In the hex room, the journal still lay on the bed. Jenny picked it up.
This house is cursed. This beach is cursed. Why did I ever come here? I must leave. I saw him the other day. It’s like he’s following me everywhere. What might he do? It’s creepy. This place is cursed.
“I’m starting to think so, too,” Jenny admitted. “What do you think, Kip?” But Kip wasn’t there.
“You too, Kip? I don’t want to have to look for you.” She rubbed her face, and then, feeling a light cramp, rubbed her belly. “And you in there,” she whispered. “You just stay right there where it’s quiet and warm.” The cramp intensified. “No, no … don’t even think of it.”
Jenny sat down on the bed and put her feet up. “Kip!” she called. “Honey, come upstairs. Charlie!”
She wished Ron were there. I’m being selfish, she admonished. People are hurt, dead even. I’m just tired alone—that’s all.
But she didn’t want to be alone. She hoped Molly Coggington would arrive soon. “Kip,” she yelled again. “Come cuddle Mamma. Come on, my little curly-haired girl. Come get me.”
The cramping refused to ease up.
There’s a side I’m supposed to lie on when this happens, isn’t there? Or is that just when the baby gets big? She pursed her lips, trying to remember, and then took a deep breath and rolled over on her side anyway. I should tell Ron. Jenny rubbed her belly, remembering the day Kip was born. That wild, crazy day.
She had been in bed when her water broke at one in the morning, soaking the bed. Jenny had risen quietly and showered and then poked at Ron, who’d leaped out of bed and run around like a madman.
“Where’s the hospital bag?” He’d rushed around, shouting where’s this, where’s that. Everything had been right there, on the dresser. She smiled, remembering. Ron had always been like that, never been able to find a thing. They’d rushed to hospital. Kip had been born after two hours of pushing—
Jenny put a hand to her temple then sighed deeply. “Maybe it will go quicker with you?” She rubbed her tummy again. “But you have to stay in there to find out. It’s far too early, little one. Far too early.”
“Mamma?”
“Oh, Kip! Come here and snuggle me. Come on. Up on the bed.”
“I love oo, Mamma.” Kip snuggled her head into Jenny’s chest.
“I love you too, Kim,” she said, and sudden tears sprang to her eyes.
* * *
Voicemail—again! He’d called five times already, leaving only one message. And she had promised to call him back after the police left. He’d even called them back, and they’d reassured him everything was fine. So why wasn’t she answering her phone?
What if something has happened? asked the panicked voice in his head. “She’s fine … she’s fine,” he muttered, reassuring himself. Someone would have called if there