Chapter 23
The School Without Children
The old elementary school stood three miles from the lake behind a chain-link fence.
Its windows were boarded. Its playground had been swallowed by weeds. A faded mural of blue fish covered the gym wall, though someone had painted black circles over the eyes.
Daniel cut the fence.
“You are breaking into county property,” Tess said.
“It has been empty for nine years.”
“That makes it private?”
“It makes it unwatched.”
The front doors were locked, but the basement entrance was open. Inside, the school smelled of mold and chalk dust. Claire followed the red square on the map through a corridor of abandoned classrooms.
Room 12 had been converted into a storage unit. Desks were stacked against one wall. A row of plastic bins stood beneath the windows.
The first bin contained school records.
The second contained medical files.
The third contained photographs of children.
Tess lifted one.
“This is Rowan.”
She was seven years old, sitting at a desk with a blue pencil in her hand. Beside her was a worksheet titled Who Am I?
The answer had been erased.
Claire found a video camera on the floor. Its battery light was still green.
Daniel pressed play.
The screen showed a classroom from twelve years earlier. Mara stood beside a child-sized table. Rowan sat in front of her.
“Say your name,” Mara instructed.
“Rowan.”
“Again.”
“Rowan Vale.”
“Who is your father?”
The girl looked toward the camera.
“Daniel.”
Mara's expression changed.
“Who is your mother?”
The girl hesitated.
“Elise.”
“Where is Elise?”
The girl placed both hands over her ears.
“She is in the room.”
The video ended.
On the wall behind the desks, someone had written a list of names. Most were crossed out. Three remained.
ROWAN. LUCY. CLAIRE.
Tess whispered, “Why is your name here?”
The fire alarm began to ring.
The basement lights turned red.
Through the small window in the door, Claire saw figures entering the school.
Owen Bell's security team.
Daniel took the camera.
“Back door.”
Claire did not move.
At the end of the classroom, a child was standing in the doorway.
She wore a blue school uniform and held a paper cup.
Her face was hidden by a white mask.
“Claire Rowan,” the child said. “You are late for your appointment.”