Chapter 63: Visiting Hours

Alison drove me home after school so we could tell Mom where we were going. I wasn't sure how my mother would react to my friend's need to visit Suzanne but was surprised when she smiled.

"That's a lovely idea," Mom said. "I'm sure she could use the company."

I wanted to ask my mother if she had any news about the creature, but she was already occupied. By Alison's new car.

A Mustang convertible, no less. Mom's favorite. Alison was given a shiny red car for her birthday and I had a visit from a creature that wanted to kill everyone.

Sounds fair.

I tapped my foot as they compared vehicles for what seemed like hours but really only amounted to about ten minutes. I finally sighed heavily to get their attention as Mom explored the dash from the driver's seat.

"We should get going," I said.

Mom gave me a soft kiss on the cheek on the way by and I knew she was laughing at me. I just knew it.

"I've said it before," Alison told me as she pulled out of my driveway and peeled off, "but y