"Why do you have to leave so soon?" she asked him. "The ball won't end for a while."

"If my step mother finds out where I am, she will kill me." Eric said. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. Bye."

    Eric ran past crowds of people and headed to the door. He could hear Thalia calling for him but he couldn't stay. He finally reached the door and ran down the road.

    A carriage passed by and he hopped onto the back without the people noticing. He rode on it for a while and then ran the rest of the way to his house. Luckily, his step brothers were not back yet but he figured they would be back soon.

    He changed his clothes and put them away when he realized that his handkerchief was missing. He had brought it to the ball with him for good luck but now it was gone.