The Mentor – Part 5

 As Allyson checked her backpack for the things that she needed; Donna stormed into her room and slammed the door.

“Tori Eggleston saw you huddled with Tim in the library, little girl.  Remember he is my boyfriend.”

Allyson sat back in her chair.  “You really should be nicer to him.  He is a really good guy.”

“No one is taking him from me; especially not you, little sister.”  Donna glared for a moment then turned and stomped out of the room.

Allyson grabbed the bag and hurried downstairs.  “I’m going to Carolyn’s,” she called as she rushed out the door.

Peddling down the darkened streets, Allyson soon arrived at the square.  She switched on her flashlight.  Two flashlights answered her signal.  The three of them moved toward a clump of bushes that sat adjacent to Mac’s store. 

From the shadows they could see Mac moving about, closing up the store.  She locked the front door and turned off the main lights. 

Through the dim, security lights, Mac could still be seen.  She pulled up her sleeve and revealed a silver bracelet with three gems.  She pushed the red jewel in the middle and disappeared in a flash of blue light.

“What just happened? Tim rubbed his eyes. 

“Uh, I don’t know.  She just vanished.” said Carolyn.

“People don’t just vanish.”  Allyson walked toward the store.  “She has to be in there somewhere.”

The girl pressed her face against the glass and peered into the empty store.  There was no sign of Mac.

* ** *** ** *

“Maybe she’s a witch or an alien.”  Carolyn shivered.  “What does she want and why is she so interested in the three of us?”

“We’ll have to wait until she comes back and ask her.”  Allyson shouldered her pack.  “The only alternative is breaking and entering.”

“What are you nuts?”  Tim put his hand on her shoulder.  “You can’t just ask her?”

“Why not?  She has always been kind to me.”

“This is a bad idea.”

“What do you want to do Tim; call the police?  And what would you tell them?  A mysterious merchant knows a lot about me and my friends and tonight she disappeared into thin air?  Carolyn and I will come and visit you in the rubber room.”

“Okay, you’re right, but don’t confront her just yet and please don’t do it alone.  Maybe we can get her fingerprints.”