My Sister is Missing: The most creepy and gripping thriller of 2019. Carissa Lynch Ann

I covered my face with my hands. All this work, getting them ready, for nothing.

      I took a deep breath and turned around to look at Ben. ‘Do you know where your mom keeps your car seats? You do use car seats, yes?’

      ‘Yes?’ Ben echoed back, staring out the side window. I gnashed my teeth in frustration.

      ‘They’re in the Jeep,’ Shelley told me. ‘Mom took them with her. Why would she do that?’

      ‘She must have forgotten.’ The words trailed off as I stared out my own window. ‘Come on, guys.’ I got out of the Civic and opened the back door. Huffing and puffing, Ben climbed out, Shelley following behind him.

      ‘We’re going to see the neighbor.’ I took their little hands in mine and we crossed the field together, toward the Tennors’ cottage, though I was unsure if the Tennors even still lived there.

      The cottage was smaller than I remembered, a soft, slow curl of smoke floating up from the chimney. It was way too hot for a fire, but to each their own, I guess.

      A ball of nervousness rose inside me, but I forced myself to step up on the porch and knock. I held my breath, praying someone was home.

      Ben and Shelley were distracted, chasing each other in circles while I waited.

      I was about to give up when the door creaked open. A stooped man with white hair and a beard stood in the doorway. He was dressed in too-tight sweatpants and a canary yellow T-shirt. He looked to be about seventy years old.

      ‘May I help you?’ He peered past me, taking in Shelley and Ben.

      ‘Hi. I’m Emily Ashburn. My sister lives next door…’

      ‘Well, hello, Emily. I thought these were your sister’s kids. Long time no see.’ His eyes twinkled. So, it was Mr Tennors. He’d aged quite a bit since the last time I saw him, but that had to be what? Ten years ago?

      ‘Nice to see you, Mr Tennors. How is Mrs Tennors?’

      ‘I’m sorry to say she passed a couple years ago.’

      ‘Oh, I’m so sorry.’ I cringed, wishing my sister had thought to mention that. But, why would she? I didn’t go to dad’s funeral, so why would she think I’d care about some old neighbor’s passing? And it wasn’t like she told me anything anyway. She didn’t even tell me where she was going!

      ‘It’s quite alright. I miss her, but I’m glad she’s no longer in pain. She had cancer, you see.’

      ‘I’m sorry,’ I said again, feeling terrible and awkward.

      ‘Would you like to come in?’

      ‘No. I was just wondering – have you seen my sister? Outside, or anywhere in town this weekend?’ I lowered my voice, glancing back at the kids. ‘I don’t really know where she is,’ I whispered.

      ‘Oh dear. I’m sorry, but no, I haven’t seen her. Have you checked her place of employment? I was sure sorry to hear about John moving out…’ I was shocked that he already knew about John, but then I remembered how small this town really was. Compared to the ‘big city’ I came from, Bare Border, Indiana was like a village. Nothing stays secret for long, not when you live in a bubble. That was one reason I moved away in the first place.

      ‘Well, that’s where we were headed. I was going to drive up to Bed and More, to see if maybe she went into work. But then I realized that I don’t even have the kids’ car seats. I’m feeling a little stranded here … and I was hoping maybe you’d seen her.’

      Mr Tennors cleared his throat. ‘Well, I could drive up there for you. Or, if you’d like, I can keep an eye on these two, just until you get back.’

      Chewing on my lip, I didn’t know what to say. Leaving the kids with him would be a major convenience, plus I could buy a couple car seats while I was out. But I’d seen so many scary movies and crime shows, about creepy old neighbors taking advantage of small children…

      But this was Mr Tennors. He’d lived next door to me all my life. I played in the field by his house, and he’d never tried to kidnap or hurt me.

      ‘Do you guys mind staying here with Mr Tennors?’ I asked Shelley and Ben, tentatively.

      Shelley shrugged. ‘Can we play checkers again?’ she asked Mr Tennors.

      ‘You bet,’ he said to her, grinning. ‘It will be nice to have some company.’ He directed this to me.

      ‘Ben? Is that okay? I won’t be gone longer than an hour.’

      Ben nodded, chewing on his lower lip. His face was still thoughtful and worried.