Terror at Twin Lights Lighthouse

TERROR AT TWIN TOWERS LIGHTHOUSE

Chapter 1

Vanished!

“Michon, where are you?” yelled Madeline. Ahead she sees her friend turn a corner down the narrow hallway and disappear again. Running toward her friend’s location, she reaches the corner and turns expecting to find Michon. Instead there is only five feet of hallway with no doors or means of escape. Madeline stares at the alcove in disbelief wondering how her friend could completely vanish when she saw her only a minute before. “Madeline, Michon, where are you two? Answer me immediately!” shouted Mrs. Tinley. Hearing her teacher’s voice, Madeline returned to the corner at the end of the hall. Spotting Maddie, Mrs. Tinley walked briskly toward her.

“You both know the rules for field trips – stay with your group at all times! What have you to say for yourself, and where is Michon?”

“I don’t know. I followed her down this hallway and saw her turn that corner, but when I reached it, she … she vanished. There’s nowhere for to her to go. Come and see for yourself,” pleaded Madeline still in disbelief.

Both turned and looked into the alcove. Nothing, just as Maddie said.

“Michon, Michon, I warn you to stop playing your childish games and show yourself to me right now! You and Madeline are in enough trouble already for breaking protocol. Neither of you can afford anymore demerits, and your parents are tired of negative reports of misbehavior. I order you to come out of hiding instantly!”

Madeline watched as Mrs. Tinley’s face turned purple and she shook her finger at her vigorously. Maddie took a step back. Michon did not appear as ordered so the teacher turned her wrath toward Madeline.

“Tell me where she is right now, or ….”

Both covered their ears as a blaring high-pitched sound pierced the air above them. Within seconds security guards entered the hallway and ran toward them. Two men signaled for them to follow while others continued down the hallway to the alcove. Soon they were at the museum director’s office. Maddie and Mrs. Tinley were taken to a room where a female guard frisked them and carefully emptied purses and bags each had on them.

“They’re both clean. Neither have any of the missing artifacts,” said the officer to another. “Take them to the director’s office. He wants to speak with them personally.”

Mrs. Tinley wrung her hands as she sat down in a chair. Noticing her teacher’s nervousness, Madeline turned toward her in the chair next to her. “Don’t even say one word to me, young lady. This is all your fault – you and your mischievous friend Michon! I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life. You, you …” She looked away from Maddie, her hands trembling now.

Michon, where are you? Maddie wondered silently. Scared and feeling totally alone, she took out her cell phone and sent a quick text message. “Mrs. Tinley, Director Davis will see you now,” said an officer. As she entered the office, she turned and glared once more at Madeline. If looks could kill, Maddie would be dead!

Several minutes later the director’s office door opened and Mrs. Tinley emerged smiling. “Thank you, Director Davis, for your courtesy and understanding.” As she turned around a guard approached her and spoke quietly.

“Thank you, I’ll join them in just a minute.”

“The director wants to speak with you, Madeline. Mind your manners, young lady. You’re in lots of trouble already. Your parents are coming to pick you up. You are not returning with us on the bus.” Mrs. Tinley gave Maddie a smug smile and left with the officer to join the rest of the class, the associates and chaperones.

Madeline’s parents walked in just as she stood and knocked on the director’s door as an officer watched her carefully.

“Enter,” said the director. Together the three walked into the office and sat down.

Thirty minutes later, Madeline and her parents left the lighthouse museum.