"Well, no one's going to answer it," she

decided, "Whoever it is away if we just pretend no

one is at home. It's dark enough downstairs and I

won't make a sound."

"No," I moaned.

She walked out and closed the door gently. I

heard the doorbell again and I waited and then I didn't

hear it anymore. My heart shriveled with

disappointment. It was as if someone had brought the

blanket up and over my head. I closed my eyes and

when I opened them again, it was so dark in the room. I thought I really was under a blanket. Overcast skies kept the stars and moon from shining any light through the windows. I had no idea about time, of

course. so I didn't know how late it might be. My fever hadn't broken. It lingered and drained

me. My mind kept wandering. Images of different

people flashed before me. I saw Randall Glenn in

England smiling at me from his bed. I heard laughter

and saw Catherine and Leslie. my French girlfriends

at the School of Performing Arts. giggling.

Then I heard something on my right and when I

looked. I saw my Great-aunt Le

onora rocking in a

chair in her bedroom, holding a large doll in her arms.

Her shy maid. Mary Margaret, stood beside her, her

head down and then looked up at me, tears streaming

down her cheeks.

Off to my right. Mama began to sing. I called to her and then, everyone popped like

bubbles and left me in darkness.

Moments later. I heard the door open and saw

my Great-aunt and Great-uncle's horrid butler Boggs

approaching me.

"You overslept," he accused. "Get up and get to

Tags: V.C. Andrews Hudson
Source: readsnovelonline.net