60

To ensure that I didn’t alert the clowns, I made a hushing sound as soon as I entered the room. The kids caught a whiff of my scent and quietened down.

“Sir, why did you come here again? What are those bad people doing next door? They’re making so much noise. Are they trying to capture you?” the little girl who had beautiful blue eyes asked in a curious voice.

“Yes. I’m in some trouble now, but it is nothing to worry about. They may come inside and ask you if you’ve seen me. Just tell them that you haven’t, got it?” I said as I shut the door.

“Okay.” The little girl vigorously nodded her head, and then turned her attention back to the food I had brought them

“Good girl,” I said in a comforting voice.

At this time, the other children next to her also began to chime in.

“None of us will tell them we’ve seen you.”

“We won’t say anything.” They chorused in sweet but firm voices. “Aren’t you all scared?” My spirits sank a little. They were just kids. Why did they have to endure such terrib