Katty jumped into her car. “We have to get back to your house, Noell. We need to pack up our stuff and find someplace to run to. Get far, far away from here.”
Bea stomped her foot. “No, Mommy. I like it with Noell.” She wailed and stomped her foot again. “I won’t go. I won’t leave her.”
Katty shushed her. “Bea. Settle down.” This kid really didin’t want to leave. Her balled-up fists covered her eyes. Katty bent down, her hands on Bea’s fists. “Baby Bea. You don’t know how evil she is.” Her hands were already trembling, as she pushed Bea toward her side of the car. She picked her up and opened the car door. “Bea. Shush. We’ll be okay. You don’t know my mom.”
Noell stood at the passenger side, the expression on her face sympathetic. She slipped into the car and faced Katty and Bea. She re
