The Childe by C. A. Kunz Read Free Book Online Page A

panic.
    Lucien Bancroft shoved his hand under the desk as far as his arm could reach. Coming away with nothing, he raised himself to his knees and put his face in his hands. “Where could it be? It has to be here somewhere. I just saw it the other day. Where is it? Where is it? I must find it. Please let me find it. I couldn’t bear not finding it. It’s all I have left of her,” he rambled on.
    Hannah quietly walked into the room and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Daddy, what’s wrong? What have you lost?” she asked softly. He stiffened and then raised his head, his eyes red and swollen.
    “Hannah, what are you doing home?” he asked in confusion.
    “It’s time for me to be home, school’s over.”
    “Oh, I must have lost track of the time, I-I need a drink. Where did I put that bottle?” he mumbled to himself. Hannah watched as he found the bottle and took a large gulp. He then staggered over to the couch and fell onto it, spilling some of the liquid onto the rug. Sighing, she went over and kissed his cheek, realizing that he had forgotten she was there, and then quietly left the room.
    Isaac stood outside the door, a sneer on his face. “Daddy dearest, inebriated as usual? Why does that always surprise you sister? You think you’d learn by now, how weak he truly is.” Hannah glared angrily at him and stormed up the stairs, his laughter ringing in her ears.

4
    The Carnival
     

     
    There was a garment explosion from Cat’s closet as she tore through it trying to find the perfect ensemble. After putting on numerous outfits, she finally decided on her first choice of a gray hoodie, a yellow frilly blouse and knee high jean Capri’s. She could barely contain her excitement. For one, it was Saturday. Two, the carnival was in town. And three, no parental supervision.
    Unbeknownst to Cat, two floors below, Taylor was trying unsuccessfully to convince their parents that they should take her instead of him.
    “Taylor, that doesn’t make sense. You’re going anyway. Amanda’s mom is bringing them home, so what’s the issue?”
    “Mom, I need my space,” he blurted out, thinking how lame that sounded coming from him. Rachel, not amused at his response, looked at Sam for backup.
    “Taylor, come on! How often do we ask you to take Cat anywhere?” Taylor answered his dad with a glare. “Alright, I’ll admit you’ve been taking her to and from school a lot, which we greatly appreciate by the way. But we need you to do this for us. There’s a meeting tonight. And you know we can’t miss it.” Taylor ran his fingers through his hair and over the back of his neck, at a loss at what to say next.
    “If you don’t take them, I guess you’ll just have to hand over your keys and come with us to the meeting,” Rachel said glaring at her eldest.
    “Okay! I’ll do it,” he said grudgingly.

     
    “Cat, are you ready yet?” Taylor yelled, pounding on her bedroom door.
    “I’m almost done!” She yelled back, and then continued her conversation on her cell phone with Amanda.
    “He doesn’t sound too happy.”
    “Yeah, I think my parents are forcing him to take me tonight. Hey, I better go before he goes all postal.”
    “Ok, see you soon!”
    Grabbing her purse and slipping on her shoes, Cat left her room, slamming the door behind her. Running down the stairs, she grabbed Taylor by the arm. “Let’s go already,” she said excitedly.
    “Cat, could you come here for a second?” Rachel called out from the living room.
    “I know, I know, don’t talk to strangers, be safe, and be home at a descent hour,” she rambled on, imitating her mom. “Oh, and always say please and thank you. And never pick your nose in public,” she added with a mischievous grin.
    Trying not to smile at her daughter’s witty comments Rachel looked pointedly at her. “I know I go overboard sometimes, but there are truly evil people out there. And you need to be careful. Humor your mother okay. It’s my job to keep