Chapter 7

Chapter 7 Millie and the bunnies had completely forgotten the time and their mission to rescue Millie's shoe! The ballerina and the footman linked arms with Millie. The bunnies scampered ahead as they all ran toward the door, rushing to get off the stage.

"Where will you go?" Millie asked the bunnies. She was sure that by now the entrance to the theater would be clear of the crowd. If she and the bunnies were to go back, they would be seen. She was also sure that on the other side of the

doors, four talking bunnies wouldn't be quite so safe. "Don't worry," the footman reassured Millie. "I'll find them the best seats in the house." "Let's get you to the auditorium, Millie," the ballerina said. Millie quickly hugged each of the bunnies and watched as they scurried off with the footman in the opposite direction. Then she went with the ballerina, down the corridor toward the door. She opened the door and stepped through to the familiar red-carpeted entryway. She turned to look down the corridor and take in the magic one last time. But the corridor was empty. Millie craned her neck, trying to spot a footman in a flash of red and gold. But no. There were no footmen to be seen. She stepped forward, hoping to see a dancer or two stretching, ready to go onstage. But no. There were no dancers anywhere.

"Where did everyone go?" Millie asked, turning back to the ballerina. Her mouth fell open when she saw that the ballerina was no longer there. Instead, peering down at her with a mischievous grin, was Auntie Karen, as though she had been with Millie the whole time. "Auntie Karen!" Millie exclaimed. "Where did the ballerina go?" "What ballerina?" Auntie Karen asked. "The ballerina who was right here," Millie insisted.

Auntie Karen swung around to search everywhere. She cupped a hand above her eyes, pretending to look high and low like the captain of a ship. "It's just us, Millie," Auntie Karen said, smiling. Her hair was tucked behind her ears, where Millie noticed a very familiar pair of earrings twinkling in the light.