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shoulders. Something was up. I could feel it.
    “What’s going on Simon?” Even though he was in front of me and could not see my expression, I still narrowed my eyes at him.
    “What do you mean?” He looked forward, not meeting the eyes he felt piercing into his back.
            “Mom and dad never invite anyone over to our house. You don’t think last night was a little weird, even if he was an old friend.”
    “No,” he shrugged. “You were too young to remember him but our families were close.”
    “Oh, yeah? Then why have you guys never talked about them?” Simon remained quite. I could tell the wheels were turning in his head to come up with an excuse. Why could no one just answer me straight forward? “Forget I said anything. I’m going back home.”
    I got Mary to turn around and gallop the way back. We had not gone far so it was a quick ride. After I got her unsaddled, I walked to my room. Simon was just coming out of the woods.
    “We never talked about them because we were trying to protect you Annie,” he called after me.
    I looked over to my brother still on his horse. His eyes were pleading me to believe him and not to ask anymore questions. But I couldn’t help myself.
    “Protect me from what, Simon?”
    “Yourself,” He whispered so low I almost missed it.
    “What?” He could not be serious. “Why would I need protection from myself?”
    “There are things you don’t know about yourself, things that could hurt you, hurt others,” he said quickly.
    “How could I possibly hurt anyone? You’re not making any sense Simon.” He got off Hope and walked toward me. He stopped a foot away from my body. I could see how tensed he was. It felt like he was scared to tell me the truth.
    “It’s getting late, let’s talk about this tomorrow. I promise I will answer all your questions.” I had not even noticed that the sun had begun to set. I sighed and nodded to him before I walked to my room. I hoped he did not change his mind come tomorrow morning.
    ~*~
    “Annie, wake up!” Someone violently grabbed my arm and tried to shake me awake. “Annie!”
    “Owe, what?” I asked groggily, pushing the person away and pulling the covers over my eyes. Why could people not let me sleep?
    “Anastasia wake up now!” A stern voice echoed in my sleep-fogged brain.
    “Mom? What’s going on?” My mother’s small body stood over me. She grabbed my arm once again and pulled me up. This time I allowed her to.
    “Come on. We need to go,” she said as her eyes went to the hall.
    She pushed my body out of the bed and into the hallway. Simon was waiting there with two backpacks in his hands. He shoved one into my arms and told me to put it on. I did as he told. He handed the other pack to my mom. My mind was still trying to comprehend what was going on.
    “It’s too late,” dad shouted as he came bursting through the front door, locking the extra three locks we never bothered to use. “They’re here.”
    “Who is here?” I asked looking at everyone. Both Simon and mom looked defeated. I stared back and forth at both of them. Whatever was happening, obviously, was something important because they had never had that look before.
    “Celesta, take them to the basement.” Mom nodded at my dad’s request and grabbed my wrist. She pulled me with her to her room at the end of the hallway. We did not even have a basement so I did not know where she was taking me. I looked behind me to see Simon following us. He looked as confused as I was. I could hear dad moving around the living room but I could not make out what it was that he was doing with Simon in my way.
    Once inside the room my mom let go of me and walked over to the farthest corner where her dresser stood. Simon helped her move it and peel back the carpet. Below was a smooth metal door with one keyhole in the middle. Mom pulled out a skeleton key from her pocket and opened the door.
    “Inside.” She motioned for us both to go. I