Heroine of Holly Ridge

Chapter twenty

After miles of Duffy jabbering and us running, we finally arrived in Holly ridge. When I got to my house, I knew something was wrong.

I drummed on the door. No answer. I was aware of Duffy and Alan glancing at one another. "Er... Mom? Dad?" my voice quavered. No answer. The door was locked. "Maybe they're out, " I said weakly. "But both the cars are in the driveway," Duffy pointed out.

"Maybe a walk?" I muttered.

Fine, I'm breaking in.

I punched the door down (pretty epically I must say) and peered inside.

It was chaos in there. Books with pages ripped out, were strewn everywhere. Pillow cushions had no stuffing in them. All the food in the kitchen had been thrown out. I ran up the stairs avoiding knickknacks and various items as I went. When I reached my room a sob rose up my throat.

It was nothing. They had left no remnant of my life. It was demolished. All my pictures, diaries, stuffed animals I'd had since I was a baby, gone. It was all gone. When I tore my eyes away from what used to be my bedroom, I went to my parents.

It was as bad as mine own. Then something white and unscathed caught my watery eye. A sheet of paper. I picked it up and quickly scanned over it.

Dearest Quinn,

My condolences regarding your family. It is always hard to lose someone you love. But this time I believe it was you to blame. You weren't there when we attacked. They wouldn't have died if you hadn't had been gone. But your choice, dear. Come join us when you feel ready.

With love,

The Athens association

Shivering with raw anger, I thrust the letter at Alan who had silently crept up behind me.

Duffy my back. "I'm sorry Quinn," he said melancholy.

"Thanks Duff. Alan, do you think they are really -" I couldn't finish the sentence. Alan looked up grimly.

"Quinn, I don't think the Athens did this," he said," We were rivals to them because they were against exactly this sort of thing. I think my dad set it up."

I paled.

"So.... while they were kidnapping me, they were assassinating my parents," I asked.

Alan nodded.

I choked.

"What about Grammy?" I stammered. Alan gravely mumbled," I suspect so."

"No," is all I could muster before I slipped into sweet darkness.