GONE (Sequel to ALIVE) (M)

"That's my book!" May Hunt(13) yelled, her dark Italian hair swishing behind her. April Hunt(12) tugged at the book equally hard, flicking her dark brown fringe off her face. A beautiful woman with long dark brown hair stood in the doorway, grey, misty eyes resting on April's similar hair. The woman smiled and called "Dinner!", brushing back her fringe. A handsome man was setting the table, dark Italian hair the most handsome feature. May Hunt's hair was exactly like her father's but her grey, misty eyes were her mother's. April Hunt had her mother's dark brown hair but her father's mesmerizing green eyes. Little did May know about what was going to happen...

Ghost purred on May's lap, tail tickling April's chin. Black was curling up by Ivy, May and April's gorgeous-inside-out mother, while Hunt rubbed itself against Ivy's other leg. April was giggling about her first day of secondary while May was looking forward to her trip to Aunt Thalia's. Oscar, their handsome-inside-out father, was emailing his colleagues about the Grand Opening of the new fun park called 'Catch'. Oscar was a fun park&ride maker and he was always involved in the Grand Opening. Ivy was recalling that today was the day it happened when she was 13 years old. The whole family was absorbed in their own thoughts and no one noticed the storm brewing outside.

The storm carried on, stopping abruptly-TOO abruptly-at midnight. What was going on?...

The next morning, May's parents weren't there sitting. Thinking that they probably just went out shopping, she carried on her usual schedule. She buttered the scones and called April down for breakfast. April pattered down the marble stairs in her champagne slippers, stuffed her breakfast and washed it down with orange juice, then flopped down on the sofa to sleep. May pulled on her hoody and then walked out.

May cycled out to visit Aunt Thalia. The sun was stinging her back like a bee while the shade was darkening the world like grey clouds. May wore her red converse trainers and a peach pink hoody. She wore cheap light blue jeans and a black digital watch. 'What was it her mum was scared about?' she thought, pedalling until she saw a dinky little cottage.

May walked her bike through the gates and locked it up. The window was open and the smell of burnt baked mince and tatties floated out. May knocked on the door but there was no answer. 'What if something happened?' she worried, looking around. It was scarily silent and not busy, there were no adults at all. She ran to the window and stepped onto the sill. May slid in to find a burnt lunch on the stove. Quickly, she switched off the fire and peered in. Half expecting to see Aunt Thalia napping, May crept into the living room to be welcomed by emptiness. 'What was going on?' she thought, 'I'll ride home to check.' and she rode her bike back home.

Unlocking the door, she saw April standing anxiously in the doorway. "Where's Mum?" April whispered in a hoarse voice, her turquoise blackberry in her hand. May hugged her, tears spilling. "They've disappeared! I know it! That's what mum was scared of!" April screamed, her bunches damp with tears "All the adults! Every single one o' them! Cowards! Why are they hiding?". May stayed silent, weeping into April's shoulder. April threw her arms around May and cried and cried and cried. "I've phoned them. Mrs Jenkins, Mr Bill, Old Penelope, mum and even dad. They're gone." she whispered "They're gone. G.O.N.E. I tell you.".

The girls nicked some food from the fridge and microwaved it. They ate lunch in silence. They ate dinner in silence. They had their showers in silence and they went to sleep in silence. The two of them snuggled together at night and cried themselves to sleep. It was fine until midnight. Lightning struck at midnight then it all disappeared.

The next morning, Oscar and Ivy were sitting at the table, hand in hand. They were delighted to be back at their house so as to see their daughter's again. "Mum! Dad! Golly! You're back! April! Sleepy worm! Ape! Get yourself down 'ere!" May exclaimed, frozen to the spot on the expensive Persian carpet. April ran downstairs, squealing like a nine year-old again. The three cats were already curled up on the parents. There was a wonderful heart-breaking reunion as they hugged. "I'm just glad we're freed!" the parents exclaimed.

Aaaawwwwww!