"It's safe with the others, as long as you stay with them, and you tell the adults when you hear your uncle Bene or anyone else you know isn't here." Beverly held her hand out to Tia. She knew the precarious situation they were in. She needed this child to trust her while telling her of something that wanted to hurt children.
The elevator behind her dinged, and she glanced back to see the doors opening. At first, there was nothing, then red balloons began drifting out. Beverly stood quickly and put herself squarely between Tia and the elevator. "We have to go now, okay? I want you to stay in front of me. We're going to take the stairs. Don't touch the balloons, okay?"