Chapter One: The Man in The Trench Coat

"Okay you two go upstairs and get ready for bed. Your mother and I will be up to say goodnight in a few minutes." James Evins said to his two five year old twins Julia and Eric. The two curly gold haired, blue-eyed children obeyed their father and bounded up the stairs. Julia and Eric were so excited that they would have a hard time sleeping that night, for tomorrow was there sixth birthday.

            Eric and Julia pulled on their pajamas and hopped into there beds. Julia grabbed her favorite teddy bear and snuggled under her blankets waiting for her father and mother to come say goodnight.

            Eric was up and about the room. He was searching for something pulling everything out from every corner of the room, "Where is it?" He mumbled as a few toys flew across the room, "Found it!" He cried, holding up a book of fairy tales. He crawled into his bed, "Okay Julia I'm gonna read you a story." He said happily squirming around to get comfortable.

            "Going to, not gonna." Julia said as she looked over at her brother and waited for him to begin. She loved to listen to the stories her brother told. Eric began to make up the story as he went along, because there were to many big words for him to read, "Once upon a time, a huge dragon came down and stoled the princess. So the brave knight had to go save her…."

             The Evins had just returned from one of there fancy social events. This one was to celebrate the twins sixth birthday. Every one had shown up. The Conlon's and their son Hayden had come. Hayden was Eric's best friend. They could never be separated. They did every thing together even getting in trouble and making the girls cry. The Hartley's had showed up with their daughter and son, Derek and Catherine. Catherine was the same age as Julia but they were good friends. Unlike Hayden and Eric, Julia and Catherine loved to play their dolls and stay out of trouble the best they could.

            While the Evins where at the social event a man in a dark trench coat had snuck in unnoticed by any of the staff. They were to busy preparing for the twins birthday party. He hid up in the master bedroom waiting for Mr. and Mrs. Evins were he would kill them and then go after Julia and Eric.

            Lillian Evins walked up the stairs to the twin's room that they shared. She stood at the door listening to Eric tell his story, "…Then the Princess yelled at the dragon and told him it was bad to steal people from there villages. The dragon whimpered like a puppy dog and said he was sorry. When the knight guy showed up his was to late. The dragon and princess where having tea and crumpets…" Mrs. Evins walked into the bedroom. Eric stopped pretending to read and looked at his mother smiling.
            "It's time to go to sleep you can finish reading tomorrow." Mrs. Evins said in a soft, gentle, soothing tone that she always used. She walked over to Eric and tenderly brushed his hair down. She gave him a kiss on the forehead and pulled his covers up.
            "Good night mamma." Eric said as he yawned.

"Good night sweetie pie." Mrs. Evins caringly smiled at her son and then walked over to her daughter. She gingerly brushed Julia's hair out of her face and kissed her on the forehead too.
            "Good night Mother." Julia said sleepily.
            "Good night sweet heart." Mrs. Evins said as she tucked the covers around Julia. Just then their father walked in. He ruffled Eric's hair and gave Julia a hug. Mrs. Evins walked into her bedroom.

"Good night children." Mr. Evins said. Just then a gun shot rang out threw the silent house and the blood-curtailing scream followed. Julia and Eric sat straight up in there beds.

Mr. Evins hurried the children out of their beds and down the hall to a secret passage, "Go to the Conlon's." Mr. Evins instructed. Eric nodded, "Tell them what has happed." Then Mr. Evins closed the door to the passageway and went to the aid of his wife.  Julia clung tightly to her teddy bear as Eric held her hand. They turned to go threw the passageway when the second shot rung threw the corridors. Julia jumped and burst out in tears. Eric new he had to be brave for him and his sister. He held his tear back and led her foreword. Out side the walls of the passage they could hear heavy footsteps.
            "Where are those lousy children?" The man in the trench coat roared. Eric could feel Julia's grip tighten.
            "It's gonna be okay." Eric tried to assure his sister.
            "It's-it's going to…." She said between sobs. They made it out of the passageway and across the huge lawn and over to the Conlon's. Eric knocked on the door as hard as he could.