STONES OF FIRE

By Tessa Harvey

CHAPTER NINE 

(Continued)

Diane was home and looking for Robert. She called Leaf and Nev, but he wasn't there. She couldn't help worrying. Could she pray as Leaf did? Maybe. Desperation put a different slant on things. After all, she knew what Walt was like and he had obviously grown worse over the years. She could not pray for him though. Perhaps one day. Maybe.

Gabe was telling the police about the small house up on the hillside when a police call came through, that gunshots had been heard in that area.

Hastily, he offered to show the police the way. They all knew Walt was dangerous. What they did not know was that Walt was now also delusional.

Nor did they know a child was involved, a boy who wanted to be a big, strong brave detective, but who did not have the maturity to realise how deadly the situation was or could be.

John Fitzgerald had been visiting Gabe. He felt a very strong sense of urgency and began to pray earnestly.

Maya looked at the sky. The sunset was beautiful. The clouds were built up like a castle and glowing colours of red and pink lit up the whole world, or so it seemed to the small girl. She wondered where Robert had gone. She admired the older boy very much and thought he was probably playing detective. 

Maya had absolute faith that Robert would fulfil his ambition as he was working so hard at school and they liked to compete in maths and English in a friendly way.

Maya decided to follow Robert up the hill. She had caught a glimpse of him some time ago, but he hadn't returned.