Beautiful Dreamer (hiatus)

Chapter Fifteen

I beamed in delight as everyone rushed in to hug me.

"Oh my gosh, thank you so much guys!" I was blushing hard. "You really didn't have to!"

"Oh but we did!" said Mom. I hugged her.

Mom, Pam, Cal, their parents, and I, all headed into our living room and sat down at the dining table. Mom brought out the second cake of the day. I gasped. It was a honey cake. I couldn't believe my eyes. It looked like she had bought it from somewhere. I was super grateful, although nothing could top Grandma's homemade one.

We cut the cake, everyone singing, "Haappy biirthdaay tooo youu", all of just having a good time. We had dinner, which my Mom, and Pam and Cal's dad, Mr. Clawford, had made together.  They had made lasagna with a very interesting looking salad. It was indeed something I hadn't had in a long time, and it was delicious.

We finished dinner and sat chatting in the sitting area for about an hour, until the Clawfords had to go home. We bid them goodbye at the door, me thanking them for the last time for this awesome night.

As I closed the door and turned to head up to my room, I spotted the package I had left when we had entered. I was extremely curious to find out what was inside. I took it and headed to call Mom. We sat down at the dinner table again, and Mom opened the package.

"It has a letter. That's weird, it's printed.." she said, and cleared her throat. " 'Dearest Gleeson family, I have a little surprise for you.'  Well, must be a birthday present for you dear.  'I understand that Mrs. Malinda Stevens has recently passed away. I realise that all of you are still grieving. I have full faith that you wouldn't want yet another unfortunate death to befall you, and an untimely one at that.' " Mom stared at me, shocked. I mirrored her feelings.

She continued, holding the paper numbly in her hands as if it were a ticking time bomb. " 'Your Robin Stevens is not doing so well. He is with me, and his safe return shall be guaranteed— but only if you cooperate.' What is going on?!" Mom blanched. I put a supportive hand on her arm, but I was absolutely terrified as well. This couldn't have been happening. I felt my hands shaking, goosebumps creeping everywhere.

" 'You are not to call the cops. If you do so, I will know, and you will never see Robin again. I am giving you an address, to which you will come alone— just the two of you. And I want you to bring me both of the talismans, in exchange for Robin's life. Come in five days time. Or even sooner if you wish, earliness is always appreciated. Looking forward to your cooperation. Sincerely, Me.' " Mom turned the page over to read the address. "They're asking us to come to an empty mall at the edge of town.. I really don't understand what is going on. Who is this person, and what do they want from us? Some talismans??" She looked speechless.

"Actually, I do know. And he wants this necklace." I showed her the Key. She looked skeptical. I explained everything to her, starting from my conversation with Grandma, to my recent dream. It had actually come true, just like the one about Simon. I told her about that one too just to make her believe me.

"Oh my goodness. I can't believe it, but I do slightly believe you.. Enough to know that we need to really think this through." I agreed. We would need all the planning we could get.

The rest of the package contained belongings of Uncle Rob, I guessed to convince us the man was being serious. Well, we got the message, alright..