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, at the hospital, Vera’s doctor explained that Vera had a panic attack. Relieved that their daughter hadn’t had a heart attack, the Molton’s were still concerned that Vera be kept in calm situations. However, they did apologize to Mr. Dinello for their angry actions earlier in the evening. Meanwhile, at the abandoned courthouse, Chief Colbert and Officer Littlepoole frantically searched for a trapdoor or secret entrance to the tunnel where they heard Mr. Barrymore and “The Woman in Gray” screaming. They asked Riley if he had seen a hidden door, but Riley hadn’t. The former desk-clerk announced that they should just leave Mr. Barrymore in the tunnel because he didn’t deserve their help. Officer Littlepoole pleaded with Riley to help them. Did he? Here’s what you decided.

Chapter 34
Tunnel Trouble

“He’s an awful man!” Riley said angrily. “You should leave him in there with her! He deserves whatever he gets.”

“Riley, you don’t mean that.” Officer Littlepoole said quickly.

“Yes,” Riley said firmly. “I do. You have no idea how awful that man was to me.”

“I’m sure that’s true, Riley, but no one deserves to be hurt. Now, please, help us look for the exit.” Officer Littlepoole urged Riley.

“No!” Riley frowned. “There’s no way I’d help that man!”

“You’re serious?” Jenny Littlepoole asked with wide eyes.

“I am.” Riley said stubbornly.

“Let him be,” Chief Colbert said quickly. “Jenny, let’s just keep looking.”

“You’re wasting your time.” Riley sighed.

“We’re doing our job.” Chief Colbert grunted.

“You know, I did my job at the hotel,” Riley muttered as he watched the two officers search for an entrance to the tunnel, “and I did it very well. But, what did I get? Fired. That’s what. All because I made one little mistake and talked about the so-called ghost that’s been ‘haunting’ the hotel. One minute, Barrymore would want to talk about the ghost, the next, it was a forbidden subject. He couldn’t make up his mind. So, suddenly, I’m out of work and I end up being attacked and tied up by some stranger dressed as a ghost! I’m telling you, Barrymore is behind this somehow!” With that, Riley angrily leaned against one of the basement’s stone walls.

Riley was shocked when the wall moved behind him. “Whoa!” Riley screeched, falling backwards as the wall slid open.

“Riley!” Officer Littlepoole rushed to his side. “You found the hidden door!”

“I didn’t mean to.” Riley sniffed, standing up slowly.

“Wait here,” Chief Colbert said to Riley as he and Officer Littlepoole rushed into the tunnel.

There, they saw the Woman in Gray screaming at Mr. Barrymore.

When she spotted the two officers, the Woman in Gray started to run in the other direction. However, she didn’t make it far. The heel of her shoe caught on the long train of her gown and she fell heavily to the ground.

“Oh!” The woman hissed. “My hand!”

“Did you hurt yourself, ghost?” Jenny Littlepoole smirked as she and Chief Colbert slowly and cautiously made their way toward her.

“Stop!” Mr. Barrymore suddenly shouted. “Stop right there. Don’t go near her!”

“What?” Chief Colbert said with surprise. “She was just about the attack you? Now you’re defending her.”

Mr. Barrymore stepped in front of the officers. “I can’t let you take her. I won’t! I’ve changed my mind! No matter what she’s done, I love her,” he blurted.

“You what?” Chief Colbert raised his eyebrows.

“Run, my love.” Mr. Barrymore shouted over his shoulder.

The woman stood up and hurried away.

“Step aside, Mr. Barrymore.” Chief Colbert said.

“Sam, she’s getting away!” Jenny Littlepoole tried to get past Mr. Barrymore who moved to the side to block the officer further.

“Mr. Barrymore!” Chief Colbert said forcefully. “You’ll have to move.”

“Never.” Mr. Barrymore said. “Consider me a stone wall. You can’t get past me.”

What should Chief Colbert do?

Voting results for how the story continues:

Go to next chapter!