I would have not drawn attention to that sign if it were normally there. But the only sign hanging is the closed sign. When the mall opens, the sign says open. When it closes, the sign says closed. I had never seen the KEEP OUT sign. It was yellow, and its letters were black. The sign resembled a bee due to its colors. I sure hope that the bees will not confuse it for a bigger bee.

Speaking of bee, one flew in the car and buzzed around Alice's head. The bee was cute, but also annoying. Heh. Reminds me of Nolan. I am glad that my brother never joins me and my friends. He would slow us down so he could munch on whatever he wanted. He loves sugar. I swear that he is made from sugar!

Alice closed her eyes and tried swatting away the bee. I smirked at Samuel and said, "Samuel. I have a joke for you."

He glanced at me. "You do not say. But it is impossible. I am the person who makes the jokes, not you."

"About time that someone in the group tells a fantastic joke," Elsa commented. "Go ahead, Carly. Do not keep us in suspense."

I cleared my throat. "Why is my brother obsessed with sugar?"

She shrugged. "He has an addiction and should receive some help? He should go see a therapist?"

Sammy shot up his hand. "Ooh! Ooh! I know!"

I clasped my hands in my lap. "Just tell us, Sammy. No need to raise your hand. We are not in school."

He lowered his hand. "My bad. I am just so eager to be with you all and walk around the mall and shop. I have been waiting for this since...last Saturday!"

The bee finally flew off, and Alice opened her eyes. She panted before saying, "Stupid bee. Assuming that I am a flower. I would be smarter than him if I were a bee."

Mom switched off the engine and glanced at the Forlot mall. More precisely, the KEEP OUT sign. "Oh, dear."

"What is it, Mom?" I asked as I unbuckled my seatbelt. "What is the matter?"

"I do not know if we can go inside the mall."

My friends gasped. I, on the other hand, was confused. Why could we not go in? Could it have something to do with the sign?

"Carly," Eddie said. "Did...did she say what I think that she just said? Did your mom say that we will not shop? I-I hope not." He gripped the fabric of his shirt. "M-my life is flashing before my eyes!"

"Please," Alyssa said. "You are such a drama queen."

"Drama king."

"Whatever. Stop gripping your shirt and get a grip. We will all survive without a day of shopping. Not like that the mall will be closed forever."

Wish that she did not say that.

My mom shoved the car keys in the pocket of her pants and pushed open her door. "Let us check it out. I could be wrong. I hope that I am."

"We hope that you are too, Mom," I agreed as I pushed open my car door. I was not trying to be so insensitive. I did not want it to be closed as much as she did.

Mom and Dad have poured their hearts in this mall. It would break their souls if something were to happen to the building. But the good news is that it was okay. The bad news is that it was not okay. Allow me to explain.

Mom, my friends, and I walked to the double doors. A man dressed in a police outfit opened one of them and signaled for us to stop. He told us that nobody could go in at this time, but did not say why.

My mom put her hands on her waist and glared at him. "What are you doing here? And how did you get in?"

"That is none of your business, ma'am."

She unzipped her purse and rummaged through it. She took out a small card. "It is my business when I am one of the owners." She showed him the card. "I can always call my husband if you do not believe me or my card."

The officer squinted at the card and scratched the back of his head. "No, no. I believe you." He glanced back at her. "My apologies. I had no idea."

She stuffed her card back in her purse and zipped it. "I accept your apology. Now can you please allow me and these kids to come in and see what is going on?"

His eyes darted to us. Then back at her. "Um...you sure that you want them to enter? I am worried that they all will have nightmares."

I snorted. Snorted like a pig. But do not compare me to a pig. I pointed at myself and said, "Me? You think that a girl like me would have nightmares? Pfft! Never have I had a nightmare, and I will not have one tonight."

He adjusted his hat. "You are a brave kid. But...can you handle what you are about to see?"

"See what?" If I were in a chair, I would be on the edge of my seat. "Tell me, tell me!"

He brought his face close to mine. "You will have to go in to find out. But be warned. What my fellow cops and I found...well, let us just say that it is not a pretty sight. And it is in the bookstore."

Elsa gulped and whispered to us. "The bookstore is my favorite shop in the mall."

Eddie wrapped an arm around her. "I am sure that it is something minor. Like mysterious clothes...or a bomb! Boom!"

She shrieked and pushed him away. "You should never talk like that!"

"It is no bomb," the officer stated. "It is something that cannot be explained. Something...monstrous."