Chapter 89: A Little Trickster
"What?" Avery shot up from her seat, worry etched into her features. While Natalie’s sobs abruptly halted in shock at the news, concern filling her eyes.
"I-I don’t know. He just hung up!" Evelyn muttered, her hands trembling as she frantically tried to redial Brandon. But it went straight to voicemail, making her heart race with panic.
"Agatha!" she called out, her voice sharper than intended. Kiana’s nanny emerged from the kitchen, a puzzled frown pulling at her lips. Without hesitation, Evelyn grabbed her hand and declared, "We need to hurry to Kiana’s school. Now!"
Agatha blinked but nodded quickly. Evelyn knew she needed someone who knew Kiana’s world better than she did, just as much as Zevian, and right now, Agatha was that person. More importantly, she needed someone strong to support her if things were haywire.
"I’ll come with you," Avery offered, stepping forward.
Evelyn shook her head, her gaze shifting to Natalie. "Stay. She needs you more right now," she insisted, her voice softer. "I’ll take John with me. Don’t worry."
"Call me as soon as you get there!" Avery’s voice was firm, but her eyes were filled with concern.
"I will." Evelyn gave her a quick nod, exchanging one with Natalie as well before rushing out the door, Agatha hot on her heels.
The thirty-minute drive felt like an eternity, the tension in the air thick as Evelyn’s mind raced. Her thoughts were chaotic, emotions swirling in a mixture of fear and frustration. Each second felt like a rollercoaster, her heart in her throat, dread tightening in her chest.
’Please, God, let her be safe!’ The silent prayer repeated in her head like a broken record as they turned into the school’s parking lot. She barely waited for the car to come to a stop before bolting out, following Agatha’s quick steps toward one of the smaller, isolated buildings on the huge school campus.
As they rounded to corner, Evelyn’s heart stuttered. There, outside an office, stood Kiana, her small frame fidgeting, with her hands folded behind as she traced invisible patterns on the floor with her shoes. A boy stood beside her, his expression a mix of boredom and annoyance.