Page 46 (2/2)

I whirled at the sound of Seth’s voice He stood just inside the doorway "Where is she?" When he didn’t answer iht "Where is she, Seth?"

"I don’t know, but--"

Wheeling away from him, I stormed toward the closet and ripped the doors open Mos like lounge pants and worn jeans, but she did have a few dresses

They were gone

Seth said ain, and this time he was closer than before "She has to be here somewhere Maybe she’s at the lake" That didn’t explain theclothes or pills, but I juoes down there And the weather isn’t bad today"

He shook his head "I don’t think she’s there"

"No" I sidestepped hi toward the door, but he was right behind ainst his chest

"Stop for a sec, Josie She’s not at any--"

A burst of strength I didn’t even know I had in me allowed me to break out of Seth’s embrace He shoutedout of control as fear forits razor-sharp claws into ave into it and I ran

"Shit"

This was about fifty levels of suck Things were definitely off, and it wasn’t just the conversation about pie

I took off after Josie Da, too--abnor in thatwhat had happened thisout the front door Cursing under my breath, I leapt from the stairs and landed in the hall

"Jesus H Christ on a crutch" Josie’s grandfather stuainst his chest

Shit on a brick

"Forget you saw that" I headed for the still-open door, turning back for a second, tossing out another coo eat so the porch with one ju off at the treeline I took off after her, chasing her through the tall oaks, and then she disappeared around a bend Picking up speed, I burst out fro the tiny rocks into the air