Chapter Two: The Conlon's

            Miss White opened the door and saw the two frighten children standing there, She ushered them into the living room, "Sit here." She said to them, "I'll go fetch Mr. and Mrs. Conlon." She ran out of the room leaving them. Eric looked out the window and across to their house. He saw a dark figure cross the yard and to the street. Eric shuddered hoping that Julia didn't see.

Julia was hysterical by the time Mr. and Mrs. Conlon rushed into the room. Mrs. Conlon scuttled over to Julia and swept her up into her arms. She softly rocked Julia back and forth to try and calm her down.

            Mr. Conlon walked over to Eric who looked like he was on the verge of tears, "What happen son?" He asked putting a hand on Eric's shoulder. Eric explained as calmly as he could about the gun shot and the guy he saw cross the yard. Mr. Conlon beckoned Mr. Oolds and told him to call the police. He wanted an officer posted at every entrance of the house.

            Hayden had heard the commotion from his room and appeared in the doorway of the living room, "What's going on father?" He asked in a sleepy tone rubbing his eyes. Then he noticed Eric and Julia, "What's wrong?" Hayden asked Eric as he walked over to his best friend.
            "Hayden, please don't ask questions." His father said, "Take Eric up stairs and show him to the guest room." Hayden did as he was told. Eric followed Hayden up stairs. Mrs. Conlon sat rocking Julia she had fallen a sleep. Mr. Conlon carefully lifted Julia from Mrs. Conlon and carried her up stairs to the bedroom her and her brother would share.

             The police had shown up at the Conlon's. Mr. Conlon had informed them on exactly what Eric had told him, "I'll have my men armed and posted at every entrance and way into the house." Officer Michael O'Leary said. He turned to a few of his men and gave them their orders. They rushed off to their posts.

            Over at the Evins an ambulance had arrived, but it was to late. Eric sat in the bedroom window that faced his house. He saw all of the flashing lights and heard the sirens. Julia lay asleep in the huge bed still hugging her teddy bear. Eric glanced over at her, and then turned his attention back to the huge house that shown blue and red from the flashing lights.

            Mr. and Mrs. Evins' bodies were removed from the house on stretchers. Eric felt a gut wrenching pain in his heart as he watch his father and mother being taken away. He was only glad that his sister wasn't awake to see this.

            A little while later Mrs. Conlon came in to check on them. She saw Eric sitting in the window. She quietly walked over to him. Eric heard her and looked at her with out saying a word. Mrs. Conlon nodded knowing what he was saying. Eric flung his arms around Mrs. Conlon's waist and silently wept. Mrs. Conlon rubbed his back and like she did to Julia she took him in her arms and rocked him till he fell asleep. She lifted him and placed him in the bed next to his sister. She watched them both sleep till Mr. Conlon walked in.

            "Everything is going to work out." Mr. Conlon said wrapping his arms around his wife and holding her close. Mrs. Conlon closed her eyes and rested her head on her husband's chest. The two of them stood there for a few more moments before they left. Mr. Conlon softly pulled the door shut behind him. There was a police officer out side the children's door.

            Mrs. Conlon opened the door of her son's bedroom to check on his. She stood and watch him sleep. She thought about the two Evins children and how hard it would be for them. They had lost both there parents the night before their sixth birthday. She shut the door to his bedroom and headed off to hers. Mr. Conlon was already in bed.

            "Those poor children, Richard." Mrs. Conlon said as she climbed into bed next to her husband. She curled up next to him resting her head on his chest.

            "Abigail, I think the best thing we can do for these children is to raise them as if they were are own." Mr. Conlon said as he hugged his wife. They knew that if something should happen to Mr. and Mrs. Evins they were Julia and Eric's legal guardians.

            "You are right." Mrs. Conlon closed her eyes and drifted slowly off into an uneasy slumber.