Horror

On Tuesday morning, Kim was the first downstairs. She went through her usual routine, enjoying the silence before the rest of the household woke up. She emptied the dishwasher and filled the kettle, ready to make tea and coffee for breakfast. It was only when she glanced towards the front door she realised there might be a problem. The door was already unlocked. She glanced around quickly - there was no sign of a break in, everything was just as they had left it the night before.

‘Joe.’ She roused him with a little shake. ‘Joe - did you lock up last night?’

‘Mmm?’ She watched him struggle into consciousness. ‘Whadidyousay?’

‘Did you lock the front door last night?’

‘Yes. ‘Course I did.’ He rubbed at his eyes. ‘Same as always. Why?’

‘Because it was unlocked when I went down.’

He was properly awake now. ‘Someone’s gone out?’

‘I guess.’

‘Who?’

‘I don’t know. Better check, hadn’t I?’ 

She left the room to cross the hall and tapped on the girls’ door.

It was opened almost immediately by Emma, fully dressed, with her hair brushed and tied back in a ponytail. Just behind her she saw Delphine was similarly ready for the day.

‘Good morning,’ began Kim. ‘Um - have either of you been outside the house this morning?’

‘No,’ said Emma. ‘We wouldn’t, would we, knowing it could be dangerous. Why do you ask?’

‘I’m just trying to work something out,’ said Kim hastily. ‘Not to worry. Come down when you’re ready and we’ll have breakfast.’

She went downstairs and tapped lightly on the utility room door. No response. She knocked again, more forcefully. Hearing no sound from inside, she opened the door. To her horror, she saw that Xavier’s camp bed had not been slept in and the man himself was missing.