Chapter the Seventh

Iraella jogged up over the grass and saw her parents on her front porch. “Oh, wonderful,” thought Iraella. Silera had crossed arms and a tapping foot, and Eamon had a hard, “you-are-in-so-much-trouble” face. Iraella slowed to a walk and made her way up to the porch.
“Iraella, should I even bother to ask where you were?” Eamon said once Iraella was standing in front of him. Iraella shook her head. He knew.
“How could you be so irresponsible, Iraella?” Silera fussed, confronting her daughter. Iraella remained silent.
“Well?” Eamon said. Iraella shook her head again and pushed back her parents, running inside. She didn’t care how much mud she got on the floor or on her bed, she just wanted to get away from them!
Iraella buried her head in her pillow and cried. How could they do this to her? She sat up, wiping away her tears. “Well, I will still see him tonight,” she thought. She looked at the clock. It was nearly nine o’ clock already. She had spent hours with Baeddan and she didn’t realize it. No wonder Silera and Eamon were upset with her.
Iraella came out of her room and smelled turkey. She breathed it in and smiled slightly. “Supper is ready,” said Silera. Her tone still sounded harsh.
Iraella simply said “Thanks,” and went on to sit at the table. That was probably the quietest supper that the Qamar family ever had. Iraella heard nothing but the clinking of silver ware. Iraella finally finished her mashed potatoes, thanked her mother and was about to leave when Silera stopped her.
“Iraella, you’re not going anywhere tonight,” she said.
Iraella avoided her eyes. “What do you mean, Mother?” she asked.
“You know very well what she means, Iraella Danae,” said Eamon harshly. Iraella cringed slightly and faced her mother and father. “You’re to be locked in your bedroom and all windows are blocked. We don’t like our daughter sneaking out at night,” Eamon said.
Iraella felt as if she were about to blow up, but she kept it contained and spoke calmly. “Okay. I apologize for my actions,” Iraella said.
Silera smiled slightly. “Good. I am glad you understand. Now, off to bed,” she said. “You’re the ones who should be apologizing,” Iraella thought. She smiled and nodded towards each of them and bade them goodnight.
Then she went off to bed.
Iraella lay awake for hours, though being somewhat weary. Her mind was buzzing with activity. She had a horrible feeling something bad would happen tonight. Only it wasn’t painful, it was just……A feeling.
It occurred to her that she wasn’t able to notify Baeddan that she wouldn’t be able to make it to his cottage tonight. Iraella tried to shrug it off, thinking he would understand, but that feeling was bothering her. What if something happened to Baeddan?
Iraella pondered over this for quite the while. Just when she had nearly thought herself to sleep, moonlight swept through both of her windows, one on each side. Iraella groaned and turned her face into the pillow in an effort to protect her eyes. It didn’t help much, for the moon was unusually bright. This didn’t help Iraella’s feeling.
Around about 2 a.m. Iraella heard something.
Something like a scream.