—Mabel—
“He's here,” I whispered.
“Who?” Mrs. Chukwuemeka asked, staring at me before reading the panic in my eyes. “Him? Are you sure?”
I nodded. I could hear my heart thumping in my ears.
“He just walked into the opposite corridor.”
“Mommy, what's going on?” Nathaniel asked.
The children were staring at us, their curious blue eyes darting between Mrs. Chukwuemeka and me.
“N-nothing, my love,” I stuttered, cupping his face.
I squatted to their eye level. “Mommy is going to pay for the puppy and then we’ll play a game.”
“What kind of game?” Damian asked.
“A spy game,” I replied.
Their eyes lit up. “Like secret agents?” Eloise asked.
“Y-yes.” I managed a smile. “We’re going to go out using the side exit, very quietly like secret agents.”
The children nodded in understanding. I
