She made herself be patient. She tried to listen for movement inside the house, but she couldn’t hear over the noise pollution of the MPs’ radios.
Dry-mouthed, her knees shaking slightly, Megan lifted her hand again to knock. During the first day after the disappearances, Megan and the other counselors had gone in after kids who had barricaded themselves in their homes. None of them wanted to believe some unknown force had taken away their families and friends.
Then a young girl’s voice called out, “Who is it?”
Thank You, God. Thank You for Your mercy. Megan breathed out a sigh of relief and felt her eyes brim with hot tears. She tried to speak, found herself choked, and tried again. “It’s Megan,” she replied. “Megan Gander. You know me, Leslie.”
Only silence answered her, interrupted by the undercurrent of walkie-talkie white noise and idling jeep engines.
“Leslie,” Megan tried again, “can you hear me?”
Another long silence ensued. Just as Megan was about to try again, Leslie called back, “I hear you.”
“Are you all right?”
A painful mewl came from the other side of the door. “No,” Leslie choked out. “No, I’m not all right.”
“I came to help you.”
“I just want to wake up, Mrs. Gander. I swear, I’ve tried and I’ve tried, but I can’t wake up.”
“Leslie,” Megan said in a soft but firm voice, “I want to talk to you.”
“Can you wake me up? I’m trapped in this nightmare, Mrs. Gander. I’ve had nightmares before, but nothing like this. I need someone to help me. I’m just so afraid.” Her voice ended in a mournful howl.
Megan pressed her palm against the door and willed herself to be strong. She felt overwhelmed. Ever since Gerry Fletcher had slipped from her grip atop a base apartment building and seemingly fell to his death four stories below—except for the fact that only his clothes hit the pavement—her whole life seemed out of control.
“It’s okay,” Megan said. “We’re all a little afraid right now.”
“We don’t need to be afraid!” Leslie shouted. “We all just need to wake up!”
“Leslie, I’m coming in there. I want to talk to you.” Megan reached for the doorknob and found it unlocked. She twisted it and walked inside.
6
United States of America
Fort Benning, Georgia
Local Time 2136 Hours
Even though lights glowed throughout the structure, the Hollister home filled Megan with fear so cold the effect made her shiver. Away from the protection of the MPs, anything could happen now.
Movement on her left startled her. Her heart exploded into action in her chest as she turned around to face the perceived threat. Panicked, Megan raised her arms to shield herself from attack.
Instead of Leslie Hollister, though, Megan found herself facing her own reflection in a mirror on the wall. Evidently Linda Hollister had placed it behind the couch to make the room seem larger. Still, the unexpected movement had proven horrifying and Megan had overreacted. Adrenaline charged her system, almost making her nauseous and causing her hands to shake.
That was when Megan realized she was in over her head. A teen with a gun and a death wish probably ranked high as one of the situations a family counselor least wanted to face.
Or is least equipped to handle, Megan thought. She turned from the mirror, striving to calm herself with a slow and careful breath. She wanted to leave, and she wanted to leave now. Kerby’s assessment of the situation was correct. She didn’t belong here. Feeling guilty, she turned to the door, hoping she could make her way outside and have the time necessary to think of another plan.
“Mrs. Gander.” Leslie’s voice coming from the back of the house was shaky and sharp.
Megan halted, then tried twice before her own voice worked. “Yes.”
Leslie spoke in a hoarse whisper. “I was just … you know …checking.”
“Checking?” Megan echoed.
Leslie sniffled. “Checking to see if you were still coming. To see if it was just you.”
The pain and loneliness and confusion in Leslie’s voice nearly broke Megan’s heart. She felt defeated. There was no way she could walk away from this girl. She turned toward the back of the house, knowing she was probably driving the MP squad crazy. “It’s just me, and I am coming.”
“I don’t want nobody else in here.” The trembling sound in Leslie’s voice intensified. “If you’ve got somebody with you … if you do … ”
“I don’t have anyone with me,” Megan said into the ominous silence that followed. “I’m alone.”
“If someone comes with you, it’s gonna be bad.” Leslie’s words broke and grated.
God, Megan prayed as she continued on trembling legs and knees that felt like watery ligaments, watch over us. Give Leslie the strength and guide me as I try to find a way to free her from the fear she feels. I don’t want to be shot, and I don’t want her hurt.
Megan knew if Leslie fired on her, the MPs would rush the house in an effort to save her. Nothing would hold them back at that point. For the first time, she realized how much she had upped the stakes by choosing to pursue the face-to-face confrontation with Leslie. Megan looked around the house. She’ll be all right. We’ll be all right. She was raised by good parents. She just needs someone to talk to her and explain what’s going on.
Although small and modest like most of the other base houses, the Hollisters had made their home comfortable and cozy. The living room held solid, carefully chosen pieces of furniture—a wide couch and matching his and her chairs facing an entertainment center filled with electronics.
A collection of family pictures adorned the wall, showing the three Hollisters on vacations or at events. The images made Megan feel sad. Despite the challenges Leslie faced and those she had presented to her parents, Leslie had enjoyed a good life.
But that was over.
No, Megan told herself. Not over. Just changed. She remembered the church sermons she’d attended that talked about the glories that awaited believers in heaven. And the
