I trudged downstairs, past the living room where my brothers were engrossed in some television show that didn't interest me, and to the kitchen. A look in the pantry told me that there was nothing of worth.
"Where's mom and dad?" I called out to my brothers.
"Breakfast!" Eric called back.
"When did they leave?"
"I don't know, awhile ago."
I sighed, checking the clock on the stove. If my parents were following their usual Saturday morning ritual they wouldn't be home for another hour or two. Unenthused, I grabbed a Pop Tart and yanked it out of the foil. Taking a big bight, I wandered back into the living room, leaning against the wall and watching my brothers for a moment. My black lab, Angel, trotted over, sniffing at my cold Pop Tart hopefully.
"What're you watching?" I demanded.
"Nothing," Sean looked over at me and stuck out his tongue. I rolled my eyes.
"Look, did mom and dad seem...um...really angry when they left?" I asked.
"No, why? Are you in trouble?" Eric joked. He knew that out of the three of us I was the least likely to actually get in trouble for something. I didn't answer. The Pop Tart tasted bland in my mouth, and I felt a nagging sense that something was wrong. Something beyond my parents being upset about breaking curfew.
"I'll be in my room," I said abruptly, taking a large bite out of my Pop Tart and running back up the stairs. The first thing I did was check my phone. One missed call, from an unfamiliar, but local, number. I unlocked the device and hit redial.
The phone began to ring...
