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"Let's join," Raven suggested, looking from Butterfly to Crystal and then to me. "I need it, too," she confessed: I looked at Crystal. She nodded.

The four of us joined hands and chanted under our breath, building our courage, filling ourselves with strength. Then we separated, swallowed hard, and gathered our things. We moved like four ghosts along the wall toward the stairs, but just as we got there, Megan Callaway came out of her room to go to the bathroom.

Everyone froze.

"What are you idiots doing?" she asked, sauntering over.

"Keep your voice down," I whispered, looking frantically toward Gordon and Louise's bedroom door.

She looked at our pillowcases and the sack of groceries.

"What is this?"

"We're running away," I said matter-of-factly. She looked at each of us and then at me. "Serious?"

"That's right. If you make a sound, I swear I'll take so many pictures of you we'll be able to wallpaper the dining room."

I kept my eyes fixed on hers and she saw I meant it. She wilted.

"What do I care if you run away. Good. Good riddance to you all," she said. "Have a nice life."

I nodded at Raven and she started toward the stairs again. Megan remained behind us, watching. Crystal grabbed my arm and I looked at her. She moved her eyes and then pulled the phony map out of her pocket. I understood and smiled.

Just before we descended, she dropped the map as if by accident and we moved quickly down the stairs, trying to become light as air as our footsteps made the old steps creak and moan.

"She won't be able to contain herself," Crystal said, referring to Megan. "As soon as we're gone, she'll give the map to Gordon."

"Crystal, you know you are brilliant," I said, "and even a bit evil."

"I know," she said with small smile.

We continued through the house. Butterfly was practically on her toes all the way to the back door.

I opened it slowly and looked back at my sisters, each with her eyes full of anticipation and fear.

"It's a piece of cake," I said, trying to sound braver than I felt. Raven smiled nervously. Butterfly still looked like she was about to cry. I decided to move quickly before she could think about turning back.

We hurried out of the house and to the station wagon. On summer nights like this one, Gordon left it outside of the garage. He even left the vehicle unlocked. Quietly, carefully, I opened the door and got in behind the wheel. The others rushed around, Raven getting in front, Butterfly and Crystal in the back. All the doors were closed with a soft kiss of metal on metal. I inserted the key into the ignition, my fingers trembling just a bit.

"It smells like a musty cellar in here," Raven said, holding her nose. "Ugh."

"Here's one reason," Crystal said, showing us a bottle of cheap wine that had probably spilled on the floor.

"We'll have to clean it up before we sleep in here," Butterfly said.

"Are you really sure you can drive this thing?" Raven asked.

"You know I can," I said with a confident smile. "I did really well in drivers' education class. Didn't I get the highest mark on the exam?"

"That's ail- exam. This is really doing it and without an instructor at your side all the time."

"Stop worrying, worrywart," I told Crystal. "Ready, girls?"

They all mumbled yes and I turned the key. The wagon started immediately with a rumble that shook the whole vehicle.

"The fuel tank's full," I announced. "Good old Gordon," I said, "keeps his vehicle tuned up and ready." I gazed back at the large, dark house. "Thanks, Gordon."

I put the car into drive and accelerated just a bit too fast. The tires spun some gravel, but I held the wheel firmly and drove down the long driveway to the street. I didn't want the others to know, but I was amazed at myself.