November 20
I actually hoped for another dream. I crave more clues about Judith's life, and I would be safest in the hospital, in case my wounds mysteriously reopen.
I am going home this morning. Dr. Mixter suggests that until Michael Myers is caught, my parents set up a baby monitor in my room, so they can catch me in time if I sleepwalk again. Mercifully, Ben is not around when Dr. Mixter proposes this.
Speaking of Ben, he has dropped by at breakfast. "See you at school." I am baffled by the awkward farewell, but it's not like I expected some long dramatic parting. Now that I think about it, I'd rather have this than a long dramatic parting. Dramatic does not fit Ben.
A couple of officers, the guards that Brackett had posted at my hospital room, trail us home. They're not that intrusive; no one even looks our way for more than a second. The police car stops a block away from our house, keeping to their low profile and allowing us peace and privacy.
My parents and I have just stepped in the door when the phone rings.
Mom answers it warily, guessing as I have that it's Mrs. Wallace needing an emergency baby-sitter.
"All right, but make it quick," she says, speaking into the receiver.
Mom hands the phone to me. "It's Chelsea."
I put my ear to the receiver. "Chelsea?"
"Hi," Chelsea sounds panicked. Her voice has raised to an unnaturally high pitch. "I just called the hospital and they said you left."
"Yeah"
"Was Alice there?"
I pause, feeling an ominous tingle at the back of my neck. "No."
"Is she, by any chance, at your house?"
I look behind me. Mom is at the window, watching the police car, while Dad has taken my suitcase upstairs. "No."
"I didn't really think she was, but I called everyone else, and I was hoping-" A wheeze cuts her off.
"Chelsea, are you okay?" I ask. "What's going on?"
A soft rustle carries over the line.
Chelsea answers, tremulously, "Mr. MacCready called me. Alice didn't come home last night."
