Chapter 21: Worried Sick, Part 1

"Oh, my goodness. Chloe! There you are." Aunt Beth came over and pulled me into a suffocating bear hug as soon as I entered the house. "I have been worried sick about you."

"Uh, okay. . . I'm fine." My gaze darted around.

No sign of Uncle Dean, but Abby was on the couch, eyes red and puffy, and her face was wet with tears.

Unease coiled in my gut. "What's going on?" I asked.

Aunt Beth released me and looked me over as if to verify that I was actually okay.

Abby stood. "I'm so sorry, Chloe. When we found out about Rachel. . . And those other kids have been missing. . . I didn't know what else to do. . . I was worried. . . Her words broke off on a sob. She covered her face with her hands and ran upstairs.

Confused, I looked to Aunt Beth, waiting for an explanation.

"Rachel Wellington was found dead this morning," Aunt Beth said. "School let out early, and when Abby came home without you. . ."