Staverton by Caidan Trubel

Caroline’s father stared at me through narrowed eyes.
    “I think it was Gwen,” I said.
    Angela looked up at her husband. “Gwen?”
    “Impossible. She went home over an hour ago,” Lawrence said.
    “They were in there.” I pointed to the closed door of the study.
    Angela released my hand and shot a glance at her husband.
    “Ridiculous.” Lawrence stalked along the corridor and flung open the door to the study. He looked inside, then turned back to us with a smirk. “Empty.”
    I swallowed. “But they were in there. Gwen and Jake.”
    I stared into the study. They were there a moment ago. How could they have disappeared? There was a door that opened out onto the garden. Could they have left that way?
    “Jake?” Angela said, and the small furrow between her eyebrows disappeared. “It was Gwen and Jake you saw?”
    I didn’t want to get anyone in trouble. “I don’t know...I...”
    Angela took hold of my hand again and patted it. “It must have been a dream, Lucy. That’s all. A bit scary to find yourself down here in an unfamiliar house when you woke up. It’s no wonder you panicked and screamed.”
    Angela exhaled and smiled at her husband. “Right, I think we’d better get back to bed. Will you be all right now, Lucy? Or would you like me to sit with you for a while?”
    I shook my head. “No, thank you. I’ll be fine.”
    I stood up on trembling legs and made my way to the stairs, feeling Lawrence’s dark eyes on my back. They must be right. It was only a dream. I fell asleep after seeing Gwen and Jake outside, so as they were in my thoughts as I drifted off, it wasn’t really a surprise they formed part of my dream.
    It had never happened before, though. I never remembered my dreams when I had been sleepwalking. The last time, at Freddie’s, I remembered nothing until Bert woke me in the pouring rain, and it was the same for every other episode. Had this time really been different? Or had Gwen and Jake managed to sneak off without being seen?
    Halfway to my room, I decided to go to the kitchen and get some water. I still felt shaky, and my throat was parched. Caroline’s parents hadn’t gone to bed. They sat in the study talking in low voices. I knew I shouldn’t listen. My mother had told me many times that eavesdroppers never hear anything good about themselves, but I couldn’t resist. I paused just outside the door.
    I couldn’t see them, but I could hear them.
    “I want her gone,” Lawrence said. I knew he was talking about me. Who else could it be? I shifted forward so I could peer into the room. Lawrence stood next to the empty fireplace, his hands behind his back and the tendons in his neck strained against the collar of his shirt. He looked furious.
    Angela sat in an elaborate chair, but she perched on the edge of it with her head bowed, looking at the floor. “Now, Lawrence, don’t over react. The poor child’s had an awful time of it recently.”
    “It’s creepy. Think about her walking around the house at night. She can’t stay. I want her out of here tomorrow.” As he spoke, he looked across at the doorway.
    Despite the darkness in the hall, I knew he could see me. I froze.
    His eyes locked with mine, and I couldn’t move. Eventually he turned back to his wife. “I mean it, Angela. Tomorrow.”
    Angela started to protest, but I didn’t wait to hear what she said. I ran along the hall and up the stairs, desperately trying to keep my footsteps quiet.
    When I reached the safety of my room, I closed the door and leaned back against it. The lock gave a satisfying click as I turned the key. I let out a shaky breath. I stayed in that position for some time, expecting Lawrence to storm up the stairs and order me to start packing.
    After a little while, I moved over to the bed, curled up in the duvet and listened out for approaching footsteps. I kept my eyes fixed on the old-fashioned brass doorknob, waiting for it to turn when he tried to get in. After half an hour, my