21. Ghost

"I couldn't shakethe feeling about that house; I sensed her presence there, I know I did. I stood up and grabbed my keys.

"Did you say something?" Viper asked.

"What? No, I didn't say anything. Remember the house I told you about yesterday? I'm going back there," I said, glancing at Viper.

"I'll go with you," Viper said, standing.

The drive felt interminable. I remembered the numbers that Brian used to unlock the door, so I let us into the house, and Viper and I started calling for Allison again. Thirty minutes later, we ran out the door. It sounded like she was outside.

"Allison, sweetheart, where are you?"

"I'm in a room with no doors. I managed to open the skylight. Can you get on the roof?"

"Yes, we'll get on the roof." Viper and I climbed the tree and then jumped onto the roof. We followed her voice to the skylight. She climbed on a dresser and what looked like a bed frame.

"Sweetheart, are you okay?"

"I am now. I never thought I would see you again," Allison said, tears streaming down her face.

"I'm moving this skylight, so stand away from it." With one pull, I tore it from the roof. I jumped inside and pulled Allison into my arms.

"I thought I was going to die in here alone. I heard you calling for me, but this room is soundproof, I guess because you couldn't hear me," she said, crying. "It takes a key, and there are no door knobs."

"I have you, sweetheart, I have you. I love you," I said, holding her tightly.

"I love you so much. What made you come back here?" Allison asked.

"I had a feeling you were here. I just couldn't shake it," I replied, kissing her.

"Can the two of you make out after we get home?" Viper said, looking into where the skylight was. "Can you bring her up through the roof, or do you want me to see if I can find the door without a knob?"

"You have to open it with a key, I'll go through the roof. I'll stand on your shoulders, Ghost, and Viper can pull me up and out," she said, stepping back to climb on the dresser.

I lifted her on the dresser, and then I climbed up. I put her on my shoulders, and she used the wall for support.

"I would love a steak and some ice cream. Let's stop for a Togo sandwich. I'm starving," Allison said as Viper pulled her onto the roof with him.

Viper hugged her. "I bet you are hungry; I'm hungry too. What about you, Ghost?"

"I'm starving," I said as I climbed up the bed frame. Then Viper reached down, took my hand, and pulled me onto the roof. We were all on the roof when the police pulled into the yard.

Dane got out and looked at the three of us. "Allison, it's so damn good to see your beautiful face," he said, grinning.

"It's good to see your handsome face, too, Dane. Do you have a ladder? I'm not sure about that tree there."

"You'll be fine, honey. You have Viper and I looking out for you. Viper, I'll hand her to you," I said before turning my head and seeing Ryan and Allison's other brothers getting out of the SUV.

"How did you guys know we were here?" I asked as another vehicle pulled up.

"I put it on the Internet when I saw you pull into the driveway. I had this feeling she was here, so I called the police yesterday.

"Allie, I am so happy to see you, Mike said, climbing the tree,

"How come you aren't playing football? Allison said, looking at her brother Mike, who was a professional football player.

"Are you kidding me? When I heard my baby sister was missing, I knew I had to be here," Mike said, wiping his eyes. "we love our only sister, and we are so fucking happy to see you."

I handed Allison over to Viper, who then handed her to Mike, and then she was handed down to Jase until she was on the ground. Her brothers all took turns hugging her.

"I was so scared. That guy died in a plane wreck. I was scared you were with him," Sean said as he hugged her. Then he looked at all the bruises. "Did he beat you?"

"No, I kept falling, trying to reach the skylight. He didn't hit me," Allison reassured her brothers that she was fine. Ryan, her oldest brother, who had raised her when their parents died when Allison was six, opened his arms, and she went into them. We love you, sweetie."

"I love all of you, too," she said before I pulled her back into my arms.

"Let's go home, sweetheart," I said, then Ryan turned back to us.

"Dinner at our house tonight; make that tomorrow night; both of you are ready to drop."

I said we'd be there before I walked to my vehicle, and Viper got in the driver"s seat and we drove home.