r. Canis stomped across the room, pushed the girls aside, and locked the window. The little lights outside flew around, bounced off the glass several times, and buzzed as if in protest. A moment later they were gone, and the whistling sound faded away. Mr. Canis turned and stood over Sabrina.
"You are never to let anyone or anything inside this house," he said in a voice as low and scratchy as an angry dog's.
"It was just some lightning bugs," said Sabrina. Her face was hot and red with shock. Who was this man to think he could tell her what to do?
"No one comes into this house. Do you understand what I have just asked of you?" Mr. Canis said.
The girls nodded.
"Very well. Good night." He stalked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Sabrina stood dumbfounded, trying to comprehend what had just happened.
"What was that all about?" Daphne whispered, but Sabrina said nothing. She didn't want her sister to hear the fear in her voice. Since her parents had run off, Sabrina had had to be the tough one. Her little sister needed to know there was someone strong by her side, even if it meant Sabrina had to pretend sometimes.
There was a knock on the door and Mrs. Grimm entered the room. "It's been a long day, hasn't it?"
"Mr. Canis yelled at us," Daphne cried.
"I heard," the old woman said as she sat down on the bed. "Please don't be too upset by Mr. Canis. He can be a little grouchy from time to time but he has your best interests at heart. Believe me, lieblings, we are both very happy to have you here, but there are a few rules you have to follow ..." she said, pausing as she looked into Sabrina's face, ". . . and I know that what I tell you might not make a lot of sense but the rules are in place for a reason.
"First, never let anyone or anything into this house without asking Mr. Canis or me if it is OK," she said. Her tone was stern and serious and no longer that of the sweet, loving old lady with the funky spaghetti.
Mrs. Grimm took the girls' hands in her own. "Second, there is a room down the hall that is locked. It's locked for a reason and I ask that you stay away from it for the time being. You might hear some unusual noises coming from inside, but just ignore them. Do you understand?" she asked.
The girls nodded.
"As for the rest of the house, feel free to explore. You'll notice there are plenty of books to keep you occupied."
"Really? Books? I didn't notice," Sabrina said sarcastically.
"If worse comes to worst we can always dig out that old TV," Mrs. Grimm continued, as if Sabrina hadn't spoken. She got up from the bed and crossed to the door. She turned to smile at them one last time. "Who wants pancakes in the morning?"
Daphne's face lit up. "I do!"
"Are you warm enough? Do you need anything to sleep in?"
The little girl opened one of the suitcases and pulled out two extra large Tshirts that read "Bermuda Is for Lovers."
"No, we have these," she said.
"Very good," Mrs. Grimm said. "Good night, don't let the bedbugs bite."
"She's nice," said Daphne when the old lady was gone.
Sabrina clenched her fists. "It's all an act. That woman is hiding something and we aren't sticking around to find out what it is. Get some sleep. We're running away—tonight."
? ? ?
Sabrina lay in bed staring at the ceiling, listening to her hungry belly grumble, and planning their getaway. With a little luck she and Daphne could hide in a neighbor's garage for a couple of days and then hitchhike back to New York City. After that, she didn't know. In the past they had just gone back to the orphanage, but this time Ms. Smirt might act on her threat to skin them alive. The next place she sent them would be a million times worse. The girls were on their own now.
"We have to go," Sabrina whispered to her sister when she was sure the rest of the house was asleep.