Chapter Three

Okay, just one thing.  This does have some supernatural stuff in it, so just a warning if that bothers you.

            It was four thirty, and Lizzie had been pacing around the house all day, waiting for the time to find out about Miranda.

            "And just where are you off to?" Mrs. McGuire asked her fretfully.

            "Okay," Lizzie replied.  "I'm just going to the Digital Bean."

            "To do what, Lizzie?" Mrs. McGuire asked.  "I don't want you going out all the time now, especially since Miranda's gone missing."

            "It's a group project.  The computers there are a lot faster than ours at home.  I'll be in a group.  Trust me, it's safe," Lizzie said sincerely.  "And, um, there are going to be parents there."

            "Well, I guess it's alright, then.  Just, be careful.  Please, sweetie," Mrs. McGuire said.  "And call me as soon as you get there, and make sure you don't stay there for more than an hour.  I don't know about this.  Is Gordo going along?"

            "You know, that's a great idea, why don't I call him and ask?" Lizzie wondered out loud.  It was certainly not fun lying to your own parents, but when Miranda's life was in danger, there was no other way.

            "Okay, here's the phone," Lizzie's mother said, handing her the phone.

            Lizzie dialed Gordo's number.  "Hey, Gordo.  Are you coming to the Digital Bean to work on our Social Studies project today?"

            "But Lizzie?  We don't have a Social Studies project," Gordo said.  "Is this about Miranda?"

            "We'll talk when we get there," Lizzie said.  When she saw her mother give her a look of suspicion, she quickly added, "About the project.  These railroads in Kansas we have to plan are going to be hard to make, but we'll have time to..."

            "Okay.  See you then.  Do you need a ride?  My dad can take us."

            "Sure," Lizzie said.  "That sounds great."

            Lizzie hung up the phone.  "Gordo's dad is taking us.  Come on, Mom, it'll be totally safe!"

            "Okay, Lizzie.  I guess you can't back out on school.  Just be careful," her mother said.

            In about a minute, Gordo and his dad were there, and they were on their way to the Digital Bean.  When they arrived, it was time for questions. 

            "Okay, so why are we really here?" Gordo asked.

            "Well, you see, someone called and told me to meet them here at our usual table.  They said they'd tell us where Miranda is," Lizzie informed him.

            "Okay," Gordo said, holding her hand.

            At first, Lizzie wondered why Gordo did that.  Yet, in a way, she was glad that she did.  She was scared, and had no idea what she would find.  Would Miranda be dead?  Would it be too late?

            Apparently, someone was there to give them information.  A blonde girl, wearing sunglasses sat at their table.

            "She's wearing a black cloak," Gordo commented.

            "What's she trying to hide?" Lizzie murmured.

            "Sit down, you guys," she said coldly.

            "Who are you?" Lizzie demanded.  "And where's Miranda?"

            The girl pulled off her sunglasses, and the entire color of her eye was a pale blue that was almost white, with no pupils.  She quickly put them back on, but they knew who she was.

            "Kate?" Lizzie asked.  "How?  And why?"

            "What happened to you?" Gordo asked.  "And how are you involved in Miranda's kidnapping?"

            "I'm not," she replied simply.  "I was sent by The Power to tell you never to look for Miranda again."

            "Kate, this isn't like you!" Gordo said.  "Tell us what's going on!"

            "Who is this Kate?" she asked groggily.  "I've never heard of her before.  Are you Kate?"