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Caraline closed her eyes briefly, squeezing her dress with both hands. She wanted to scream as she stomped the ground vigorously. "I-I... I was just going to check on Deric."

Lucy pressed the watch. "Two minutes starts from now."

"Oh my." Caraline quickly took off her shoes, running barefoot toward Deric's room. Once there, she banged on the door. "Get up, slacker!"

Caraline rolled her eyes when she saw Lucy on the porch, glancing at her watch. "Hey, did you hear me? I'll shut you up if you don't come out in five. One, two, three, four"

"Miss Caraline," said Thomas who came out of Deric's residence.

"Where is Deric? And why are you in his residence?" Caraline asked in rapid succession.

"I have to be in the same place as Mr. Jacob according to the prescribed security standards. I have received emergency information from Mr. Stevan," Thomas replied.

"Wake Deric up right now," Caraline ordered. As she waited, she stood uncomfortably, especially when she saw Lucy on the porch.

"You were