The Child's Plan by Audrey Walker (books to read this summer .TXT) 📗

Suddenly, the shadow from his face disappeared, and the innocent child returned.

“I am sorry,” he said, tears falling down his eyes. “I am sorry.”

Chapter Eleven

“I am sure the killer left me more clues,” Robin said. “They must be at the murder scene.”

“If so, the police would have it by now,” Kyle said.

“No,” Robin said. “He would have made it so only I would find it. He is leaving them for me, not for the police.”

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Heading to the crime scene,” Robin said.

“Are you crazy?” he asked, looking shocked.

“I need to find that message,” Robin said. “I know he left something for me there. The killer is doing all this for me because he wants revenge against me for some reason, he wants me, and he did this to get me to come out and play. He left me a message, and he left it in a way that no one else would know where to look.”

“Why Grimoire Street?” he asked.

“That’s where my sister, Abby, had an accident,” Robin said. “We were walking down the street when she got hit by a bike. I remember, I rushed her to the hospital, scared that I would lose her. No one seemed to even care what I was saying; I was just a kid. It was one of the more terrifying times of my childhood. And I think I know where the message might be.”

“If he wanted to make sure the police didn’t find anything,” Kyle said, “he would have left the message elsewhere.”

“No, I know he left it there,” Robin said with her mind racing. “He wanted me to go there. He wants me to take the risk. He wants me to play his game.”

“And what’s his game?”

“That, I don’t know,” Robin said. “Not yet, anyway. But we will figure it out.”

“Are you really doing this?” Kyle shouted.

“I have to,” she said.

__

Robin looked down at the chalk outline on the street where the dead woman had lain. The forensic team had cleared up all the evidence that could be found, but Kyle was talking to one of his friends to see if they would tell him anything. Robin knew there was a chance that there were officers keeping tabs on the place, so she had to be careful. Luckily, the lamplight was out, and the street was dark.

“What? An accident?” the child asked.

“Yes, she almost got hit by a car,” Robin whispered. “I was so scared.”

“I have never seen a car,” the child said.

“I will show you one when we get out of here,” Robin whispered.

“Tell me the story!” the child said.

“Only if you promise to be good,” Robin said. She found that the child acted better when she bribed him with stories, especially if she used the moral to teach him a lesson. He had been so kind recently, and Robin was hopeful that she could change him. Perhaps she could help him fight the trauma he had suffered and become someone good with love and care.

“Well, we headed out to a small shop,” Robin said. “A candy shop. It had the best candy we had ever tasted. We saved up whatever money we could for a month, and I took her there to treat her for doing well in school.”

“Candy,” the child said. “I want that candy.”

“The store is still there,” Robin said. “I will take you. It was so important to the two of us. It was our favorite place. Dad used to take me there all the time–.”

The memory flashed before Robin’s eyes as she remembered telling the child this story. At that time, she thought it was harmless, but she didn’t know that she was handing him weapons.

She turned to the store, which was closed for the night, and slowly picked the lock. Within seconds, she was in. She had a feeling she knew where she would find the message, and it was there. A small note stuck to one of the candy containers. The one she had told him was her favorite. She picked up the note, but before she could glance at it, she heard a shout.

“Hey, you!”

Crap! She had been spotted. As the officer ran after her, she shattered one of the glass windows and jumped out, running down the street.

“I have spotted the Executioner,” Robin heard the officer shouting into his walkie-talkie. “Send back up! Grimoire Street!”

Robin ran as fast as she could; the officer was close behind her. She waltzed over the fence, her legs trembling under her as she landed. She heard the sirens in the distance, and she knew she didn’t have long. If the police caught her, it would all be for naught.

“Stop!” she heard the officer shout. “Just give up, Matthews!”

She recognized the voice as Gary Dane’s, and she sped up. If he managed to catch up to her, she would stand little chance. He would overpower her easily.

“Matthews,” she heard him shout. “Stop! Or I will shoot!”

Robin continued running down the alleyways, and she heard gunshots behind her.

“Don’t kill her!” she could hear James’ voice on the walkie-talkie. “Don’t kill her!”

“If it comes to it,” she heard Gary say. “I will!”

Robin turned a corner and hid, knowing she could not outrun him. She hid in the corner, panting as exhaustion consumed her.

“Where are you, Matthews?” she heard him shouting. “Why are you hiding? Why don’t you come out?”

She heard a couple of gunshots and covered her mouth to stop herself from making any noise.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” he sang, waving his gun around.

Robin saw an opportunity and made a break for it, hearing more gunshots behind her. She climbed up the fire escape of a building, ducking just in time and hiding on one of the balconies.

“Look everywhere,” she heard Gary shouting. “She must be here. Somewhere.”

The officers dispersed, and Robin collapsed in the dark corner, even as her enemies hunted for her.

She was safe for now.

Chapter Twelve

The sounds of the television echoed through the house,