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Previous chapters of the Vista Falls story:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
How should the story continue? Voting is open on the current chapter!
Last time, the rest of the group agreed that the best thing to do was to go home and get some sleep so that they could start their investigation again with clearer heads the next day. Vera did not care for this idea and while seemingly agreeing to the order to go home, was hatching a plan of her own. Once Lucy and Kate had gone to sleep, Vera crept out of the house and went out on her own even though her parents would never have allowed such a thing. The night was dark and spooky. Already on-edge, as she arrived at the abandoned courthouse, Vera was startled by footsteps in the distance. Who was it? Here’s what you decided.
Chapter 26
Fear of Vera
Vera walked quickly through the dark streets of Vista Falls. She felt a little nervous. The night was especially dark and all the streetlights did was cast strange and frightening shadows on the streets.
She made her way to the town square and hoped to look around the old courthouse where the “ghost” had last been seen.
As Vera studied the building, she suddenly felt as though she was being watched. She looked around, but saw no one.
Then, she heard footsteps—heavy footsteps.
“Who’s there?” Vera said.
She spun around quickly again, and then screamed!
“You!” Vera shouted.
“Did I frighten you, dear girl?” Mr. Barrymore smiled a very unconvincing fake smile.
“No.” Vera lied.
“Isn’t it a little late for you to be out all by yourself?” Mr. Barrymore asked.
“I’m old enough to be out.” Vera lied again.
“Really, I thought you were one of those kids from Vista Falls Junior High. You were with the group of them and that babbling art teacher, Dinello. I remember that. Yes, girl, I remember you.” Mr. Barrymore hissed.
“I was with them. But, I’m not a junior high kid.” Vera shook her head.
“So, you’re a teacher, too?” Mr. Barrymore teased.
“Yes.” Vera continued to lie.
“Isn’t that interesting?” Mr. Barrymore growled. “You’re a grown-up teacher and yet your twin sister is a schoolgirl.”
“We’re not twins. She’s my…” Vera shook her head trying to think of something. “She’s my niece. We just look a lot of like. People say we look like sisters. That’s because I look so young. My family ages really well. We use a lot of moisturizer.”
“I see.” Mr. Barrymore nodded. “So what do you teach?”
“What do I teach?” Vera repeated. “Theatre. Yes. I teach drama.”
“Ah, the theatre!” Mr. Barrymore waved a hand in the air and bowed over-dramatically. “I was a student of drama myself. So, who’s your favorite playwright?”
“What?” Vera asked.
“Playwright?” Mr. Barrymore repeated, playing along with Vera. “Your favorite? Me I like the work of Woosterofsky—the Russian Expressionist.”
“Oh, me, too. He’s my favorite.” Vera nodded.
“I especially like his three act play, ‘Notes on Half a Snake.’” Mr. Barrymore continued.
“Oh, gosh, yes. That’s my all-time favorite. I was just ummm…lecturing about that in my class the other day.” Vera stuttered.
“Really?” Mr. Barrymore grinned. “I was in it when I was a lad. I played Leander the King of the Snake People.”
“I’m sure you were brilliant.” Vera nodded.
“I wasn’t!” Mr. Barrymore snapped. He began to laugh. “Who do you think you’re fooling? There’s no such playwright as Woosterofsky! I made it up. You’re no teacher. You’re just a little girl.”
“I’m not a little girl.” Vera shouted.
“You’re young enough that you shouldn’t be out alone.” Mr. Barrymore took a step closer. “You do know that there’s a curfew in Vista Falls. People under the age of seventeen aren’t to be out this late without a chaperone.”
“I’m not under seventeen.” Vera stood up as tall as she could.
“More lies.” Mr. Barrymore laughed. “You know, my dear, you’re in a lot of trouble. I could call your friend the Chief of Police and have you carted off to jail for breaking the curfew.”
“I wouldn’t go to jail.” Vera shook her head.
“Don’t be so sure.” Mr. Barrymore chuckled. “Do you really want to risk it?”
“I want you to go away and leave me alone!” Vera shouted.
“I can help you, child. And, you can help me. I won’t turn you in for breaking the law if you just cooperate with me.” Mr. Barrymore continued.
“Go away!” Vera shouted again.
“You’re only making this worse for yourself.” Mr. Barrymore snarled.
Vera turned to run, but Mr. Barrymore rushed toward her.
“Leave me alone!” Vera screamed.
“Keep your voice down.” Mr. Barrymore hissed.
Vera began to tremble.
“Just go away.” Vera said.
“Tell me where Mina is, and I’ll leave right now.”
“I don’t know where Mina is.” Vera shook her head.
“And you’re a drama teacher at the Junior High School. Why should I believe a word you say?” Mr. Barrymore grumbled.
“If you don’t leave me alone, I’ll…” Vera began.
“You’ll what?” Mr. Barrymore took another step closer.
What should Vera do?
Voting results for how the story continues:
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44.4%
40.7%
14.8%Go to next chapter!
