DESPERATE

Chapter 24

"Ashley, Ashley." cried Ava running over to Ashley as she came down the staircase. They had just finished and she was ready to go home.

"Ava. What's wrong?" Ashley asked.

"It's Mr. Whiskers." She said sniffling.

"Mr. who now?"

"Whiskers." Ava repeated. "He's locked in the store room. Please help me get it."

"Who locked him in there?"

"Me...but I can explain. We were playing and twirling in the hallway and accidentally entered the store room. It was dark and I hate the dark so I accidentally dropped him on the floor and ran away."

"It's ok. Let's go get Mr. Whiskers." Ashley said as she held Ava's hand and the walked towards the store room. She checked the time on her watch, it was 4:10pm.

Ashley switched on the light in the store room. There was Mr. Whiskers-the teddy-on the floor. Ava picked him up and hugged him.

"Thanks Ashley." she said with a smile. "What about my rag doll?"

"What rag doll?"

"I also have a rag doll locked up in here. It's in that corner." Ava said pointing to the corner where Ashley and Valerie had collected papers from the first time.

They went over there and Ashley brought down the box from the stack and gave it to Ava to search. Ashley saw that box again...the one with th label, sitting in the same spot it was. Curiosity got the better of her and she went over and bent down to open the box. When she opened it, she saw nothing but a bunch of old cups and mugs with birthday cards and new year cards.

'Why is there a DO NOT OPEN on the box when there's nothing inside?' She used her hands to rumage through the box when she felt a picture underneath. She wanted to bring it out when Ava yelled.

"I've found it."

"You found it?" she asked quickly putting the picture inside her book. She didn't want Ava to know she was going through their personal stuff.

"Yes. I found my rag doll." Ava said smiling as she showed Ashley the doll. It was a little dusty after being covered up in all those dirt.

"Now I have two dolls."

"Yeah."

"Let's go now." Ava said dragging Ashley along. She switched off the light and closed the door. Ashley checked the time on her phone .4:30pm.

"Ok Ava I have to go now."

"Do you really have to?"

"Yes I have to. My mom will get angry if I don't come home early. You don't want mommy to get angry with me now do you?"

"What happens when mommy gets angry with you?"

"I won't come here again. Which means...."

Ava gasped in realization. "No princess book for me again."

"Yes.Smart kid." Ashley was holding her laughter.

"Well then bye bye."

"See you on Saturday."

"You're still here?" Valerie asked coming down the stairs.

"I was just leaving." Ashley replied. Then she left the house without looking back totally forgetting about the picture.

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