Chapter 4

Three hours later, everyone else were waiting in the house for Larry and Lindsay’s return. They were also worried that they had been gone so long. Terry and Chelsea were sitting in the living room.

“What’s keeping them?” Chelsea wondered. “It’s not like them to be gone so long and not call us.”

“Yeah, I know,” Terry agreed. “This is strange. First Kenny and Barbara, and now, Larry and Lindsay.”

Josh and Cindy walked into the living room.

“You don’t suppose that loony got them, don’t you?” Cindy said worriedly.

““I hope not, Cindy,” Terry replied. “That would be terrible.”

“Terry, I think you should let your state trooper friend know about this,” Josh suggested. “That way, he can let other state troopers in the area know and they can mount a search.”

“I’ll do that later on, if they fail to show up in the next hour or two,” Terry answered. “Right now, we can only hope that all of them will show up here all at once.”

“Ricky and Lizzy emerged from the upstairs and walked into the living room.

“Have Larry and Lindsay come back yet?” Larry wondered.

“No, they haven’t,” Terry replied. “It’s been three hours since they left to look for Kenny and Barbara, but now, they haven’t come back.”

“I hope that they’re alright,” Lizzy said. “With that dangerous loony on the loose, you never know what could happen.”

“I’ll be letting Trooper Sheldon know later about this,” Terry assured. If neither of them turn up soon, I’ll put it in his hands.”

“Until then, I have an idea,” Chelsea said. “How about we go out to the tennis court and have some fun. We can play tennis, badminton, or perhaps, racquetball.”

“Splendid idea,” Terry answered. “Let’s go.”

Ten minutes later, Josh and Cindy were playing badminton as the rest watched on tables and chairs and having beer.

Cindy was beating Josh at the game. Josh was getting frustrated as a result of this.

“Josh, you’re way too slow,” Ricky said teasingly. “That’s why you’re losing.”

In response, Josh gave Ricky his middle finger.

“Some people can’t handle the truth about themselves, I see,” Ricky responded smart aleck like.

“Oh be quiet, Ricky,” Lizzy said in a scolding manner. “You’re not playing, so you have no business opening your mouth.”

“Okay Josh, this makes the score four games to two,” Cindy said. “Think you can catch up to me?”

“I can only try,” Josh answered not too confidently. “Holy shit, how you’re good.”

“You just need more practice, that’s all,” Cindy assured.

“You also need to work on being more quicker than Cindy is, you slowpoke,” Ricky said teasingly.

“Ricky!” Lizzy said angrily. “Stop being such an asshole! Josh is very good, although he’s slow. You don’t even play, so you have no business opening your mouth!”

“I have more fun simply watching and expressing myself,” Ricky said. “A little criticism doesn’t hurt.”

“Maybe Ricky,” Lizzy replied. “But since you’re not playing, and never play, you’re better off keeping your mouth closed.”

“Lizzy, I’m used to his whatever you want to call it,” Josh said. “I simply let it fly over my head.”

“It’s a wonder that no egg plops on your head,” Ricky responded jokingly.

“Ha-Ha-Ha,” Josh replied sarcastically. “Very funny. So funny that I forgot to laugh.”