I opened the door and panicked when I saw that Shirley wasn't in her bed. Everyone had left. The room was empty. Where was she? Did Tim take her?
I looked around and couldn't see any of Shirley's things. I ran out of the room and went to find Jenny. I was determined to sort this out.
Of course, Jenny wasn't where I had left her, so I went into the living room to find the others. The kids were there playing cards and Trudie was sitting in an armchair feeding her baby.
"Trudie, where is your dad?" I asked as she smiled up at me.
"Oh... em... I'm not sure... Aiden came in here and got him earlier, but I haven't seen him since... in fact, I haven't seen anyone for a while... why... what's going on Lydia?" She asked curiously.
"Nothing... I'm just looking for Tim and your dad... nothing to worry about Trudie... I'll see you later." I said and left the room quickly. I didn't want to spoil Trudie's or the kids' contentment, so I went on my way to find the others by myself.
I looked everywhere, but no one was about. I, suddenly, thought of the barn, so I made my way to it. I trembled as my beating heart pumped erratically as I ran outside. I hoped everything would be fine. I hoped Tim hadn't committed a crime. Did he have it in him to kill someone? Could he really do that to Shirley?
33. Lydia Brown - The Search
To my disbelief, the barn was empty as I pushed the door open and I walked inside. Where are they?
No one was in sight. I was certain that they would be here. I couldn't understand it. Where else could they be? Surely, this would be the only place Tim would take Shirley. Unless…
I, suddenly, wondered if Tim would drive away somewhere with the others to do something awful. Would he? It could be a possibility. If Tim wanted to kill someone, he would probably do it somewhere other than here. But where?
I didn't know what else to do and then I thought of something. Why would they all disappear and leave the children here? Of course, they knew that I'd be here, but it really didn't make any sense. Unless…
I ran inside in a hurry. My heart pounded as I rushed towards the living room. I had to ask Jenny and John's kids what they knew. I had a feeling they had an answer for me.
They all looked up as I stood there trying to get my breath back.
"Lydia... are you okay?" Trudie asked as she stared at me with a slight grin on her face. I looked at her as she patted her baby's back.
"I'm fine... but I need to ask you something... is there any other place here... you know... like the barn maybe?" I tried to guard my words carefully, but I could tell they were all wondering what was going on.
"Em... yeah... I guess," Trudie answered.
"Where? Tell me Trudie." I asked urgently.
"We have a small cottage out in the fields that we used to rent out sometimes, but it's old and falling to pieces now... why?" She asked suspiciously. "Is something up Lydia? What's going on... maybe I can help... I can take you there if you like... I'll leave my baby here with Molly and come with you." She said as she started to get up.
"No!" I almost shouted at her.
"But why? You won't find it unless someone shows you where to go... and... well... you might get lost out there in those fields... and there might be biters lurking down there." She said urgently.
"It's okay... just give me directions... you have to stay here just in case."
"Just in case of what?" Trudie asked in a trembling voice.
"Nothing... I want you to stay here as you are the eldest and well... it's just best that's all... now show me where this cottage is." I said trying to control myself.
"Okay... go out the front door and walk straight through the fields... but you have to climb over the fence that we've built and walk straight until you see a smaller fence... climb over that or go through the gate ... then walk to your left and you will come to a clearing and there will be a road sign... in the distance you will see a small cottage." Trudie stated as she put the baby down in her crib and then walked over to me. "Are you sure you should be going there on your own? What if you get into trouble? Do you think that's where my parents have gone with the others? Tell me Lydia!" Trudie shouted.
I pulled her out into the hallway so I could speak to her privately. I didn't want the other kids hearing what I was going to tell her.
"Look... I'll tell you, but you must stay here and look after the others... I think Tim and the others have taken Shirley somewhere... she went a bit mental when she woke up and well... Tim has this theory that she shouldn't be here anymore... like..." I didn't know how to tell her so I paused to think. "I'm not sure what he's going to do with her, but I have to stop him."
"Stop him? Is he going to kill her?" Trudie asked me.
"I hope not... I really don't know... all I know is I have to find him. Now... please... just stay here and look after the others... okay?" I asked pleadingly.
"Okay... but... wouldn't it be best for you to wait here for them too... I mean... just let them do whatever they are going to do Lydia... isn't that the safest option?" Trudie was right, but I couldn't do that now.
"I
