She couldn’t shake the feeling of impending disaster. As soon as the sky turned gray, Eleanor didn’t even put on shoes. She threw a shawl over her nightgown and ran out onto the dew-covered road. The morning fog was thick, hiding the houses around her. Terrified, she ran all the way to Katie’s house.
Her frantic knocking woke Katie’s mother, who looked at Eleanor in confusion. When Eleanor asked for Daisy, the answer was like a physical blow. Daisy had left before midnight. Eleanor felt the world tilt. Her legs felt like lead as she processed the news.
Katie, now awake and crying, told her about the Millers. Eleanor ran to their house next. A groroggy Mr. Miller explained that they had left Daisy with Max. When Eleanor heard Max’s name, a cold shiver went down her spine. She remembered the way that boy used to watch Daisy from his yard.
She went home to find Sarah just getting back from her shift. One look at Eleanor’s face told Sarah everything she needed to know. Sarah started calling everyone they knew, her hands shaking, but no one had seen Daisy. Then, a neighbor named Val showed up at the door, white as a sheet.
Val could barely get the words out. She had found something in the tall grass by the side of the road. Eleanor didn’t wait for the rest. She ran out of the house and down the road toward the spot Val had described.
