Chapter 6
Twenty minutes later, James along with Cori, Daveigh and Victoria waited in the drawing room for Tim to return. James had sent him off to find Rachel and Christopher and bring them home, with instructions for them to detour to their Uncle Doug's house if they should spot any intruders hanging about the premises. James looked out of the side of the curtain, watching for his children's return. Cori sat on the couch between the girls, attempting to sooth little Victoria, who sensing her parents fear, was crying inconsolably. "Shhh, baby! Shhhh." Cori crooned, rocking the child. James glanced over and motioned for Daveigh to come over by him. She hurried to him, her face ashen. "Yes, papa?" "Daveigh, I want you to stand over here and continue to look out of this window. And you're to tell me the moment you see anyone coming near, alright?" "Yes sir!" She said. James went immediately to Cori, and sat down next to her taking Victoria and settling her on his lap. She calmed a bit, but continued to cry. "There, there now!" He said, taking a handkerchief from his pocket and wiping away her tears. "Victoria, my little love, I want you to stop crying and listen to your papa, alright?" The little girl immediately stopped crying and Cori breathed a sigh of relief. James gave her hand a little squeeze as he said to Vicky. "You and mummy and your brothers and sisters and I are all going on an adventure. And surely that's nothing to cry about!" Vicky hiccupped loudly and snuggled up against his chest. "But where are Tim and Chris and Rachel?" she asked in a tired little voice. He held her closely and rested his chin on her downy little head. "They're on their way home, baby! God willing they'll be here soon!" "Papa!" Daveigh said suddenly. "Somebody's coming!" James placed a quick kiss on his baby's head, before handing her back to her mother and hurried to the window. "Alright, Daveigh, come away from there! Go to your mother, quickly now!" James pulled his pistol out of his pocket, causing Daveigh to gasp. "Shhh." Cori said pulling Daveigh down in the seat next to her. "It's alright." James said pulling he curtain back into position. It's the boys."
Tim and Chris burst into the house. They stared dumbstruck at the pistol in their father's hand before Tim said "Dad, there are men landing on the beach! A lot of them and I think they're heading this way!" "Oh my God!" Cori gasped. "Where's Rachel." James asked. "I couldn't find her!" "What?" James exclaimed grabbing Tim by the shoulders. "What do you mean you couldn't find her?" "I went and got Chris at Michael's house like you told me to," James said tears filling his eyes, "and then we headed down to the beach, but she was already gone! Ricky was there and he said that some kids took a boat out on the water and Rachel went with them! There was nothing I could do, Dad. I swear!" Tim broke down and James let go of him. "I'm sorry, Dad! I'm so sorry!" "Alright, son. It's alright." James said patting him consolingly on the back. "Just pull yourself together, now, alright!" James closed his eyes for a minute and then he looked at his family all huddled together and he knew what he must do. "Cori, Tim I want you to take the others down into the basement. There's a secret tunnel behind the wine rack that leads to Doug's. Cori, do you have your pistol on you?" She nodded. He took out a pistol and handed it to Tim. "Do you know how to use that?" "Yes." Tim replied. "Good." James said. "If anyone or anything tries to harm you or mother and siblings, shoot it!" "James what are you going to do?" Cori asked. He took her beloved face in his hands and kissed her quickly before he said "I'm going find our daughter!"