Dusk slowly fell, painting the clouds on the horizon orange-red.
After leaving the Shaw family's home, Cecilia Adler and Ian Quincy hurried to the school.
The main gate was locked tight.
Peeking through the schoolyard, she could see that the classroom doors were also locked.
She found the security guard to ask.
"The children were let out early. You must be Claire Jocelyn's parents, right? Her teacher, Teacher Nash, took her home."
Cecilia thanked him, and she and Ian headed back to their courtyard home.
From a distance, they saw the little girl standing at the gate, gazing out.
Cecilia called her name.
The little girl's eyes filled with joy as she called back loudly, "Mommy, Daddy, you're finally back! I waited for you for so, so long. I thought you didn't want me anymore."
