Stalking Shadows (Scary Mary) (10 page)

Kyle sort of shuffled his feet and ducked his head. If he weren’t a two-hundred pound wrestler, he’d have looked bashful. “I think it was pretty cool of you that you did. Not as many people as you’d think have been by to see her.”

“Who has been by?” Rachel asked.

Mary threw her a look. Why’d she ask that? But Rachel wasn’t paying attention to her. She’d opened a spiral notebook and had a pen ready.

“Well, my brother and I, obviously, her parents, Carolyn, Mary-Jo, and I think that’s it, except for you two.”

“Anyone else not from school or the hospital?” Rachel asked, writing down the names he’d given.

Kyle thought about it a moment and shrugged. “No, I don’t think so. Mrs. Nelson hasn’t mentioned anyone else.”

“What about Helen, Brittany, Gloria, Denise, Bobby, Trevor, and Harry?” Mary rattled off the names in surprise. Those were some of Vicky’s posse. She figured they’d have gone by at least once to see her. Really, she figured half the school would have visited. She wouldn’t have been surprised to find a bunch of them keeping vigil until the queen bee woke up.

Kyle shook his head. “I think the girls may have sent some flowers, but they haven’t been by.”

That news made Mary feel bad for Vicky, which put a nasty taste in her mouth. She may be in a coma and getting attacked by a Shadowman, but to be abandoned by her supposed friends was the worst thing of all. “That sucks.”

“Yeah, I think her mom isn’t taking it well. I mean she knows how popular Vicky is, and for no one to be coming to see her, it's really bothering her.”

“Have any of the medical staff been acting weird? Have any of them been overly attentive? Wait, not just medical staff but anyone else like volunteers or janitorial staff?”

Kyle squinted at Rachel. “I don’t know. Why are you asking?”

Rachel scribbled a few words in her notebook and shrugged. “No reason. Just making conversation.”

Kyle looked at Mary, clearly not buying Rachel’s lie. Mary knew what her friend was doing, but she wasn’t about to blab about it to him. Later, though, she'd make Rachel look up the word “subtle.”

“Mary Hellick, please come to the principal’s office.”

Everyone in the room turned to look at her and made “Oooh” sounds, like little kids. “What’d you do?” Rachel asked.

Mary sighed as she picked up her book bag. “I have no idea. Bye, Kyle. Thanks for the info.”

Chapter 7

Falling Down

As she walked to the principal’s office, she tried to think of why she’d been summoned. Nothing was coming to mind. She hadn’t done anything disruptive in over a month. She hadn’t had any confrontations or pulled any pranks, which Rachel could attest to, since one of them never did a prank without the other.

Which reminded her, they really needed to do something. She’d have to think on it. She’d already decided to target the student government this time. They’d been harping on about some trip to D.C. and having bake sales, car washes, and donation drives to raise money. She’d taken special offense to the donation drive. Why should she give money to help buy plane tickets for kids who drove BMW's?

When she entered the principal’s office, the secretary smiled at her. The way she smiled put her on guard. The secretary never smiled at her, and this smile wasn’t a cheery smile. It was a pitying one. The secretary led her back to the office. Principal Hoke and Mr. Landa were inside. Principal Hoke and she had never met under pleasant circumstances, and this time looked to be no different. But she still didn't know what the unpleasantness was.

“Mary, please have a seat.”

She sat down, but the two grown-ups remained standing. Principal Hoke had both her hands clasped before her, and Mr. Landa had his in his pockets, but their stances weren’t relaxed. They looked stiff.

“Mary, there’s been an accident.”

At that statement, she went still. Goosebumps rose on her arms, and a shiver went down her spine. She was startled when Mr. Landa pulled a chair up beside her. She looked at him with wide eyes. He put a hand on her shoulder. “Your grandmother fell at the hospital. She’s been admitted.”

“Will she be all right?”

He patted her back. The contact made her shoulders tense up. “I’ll give you a ride there.” His non-answer made her tense up more.

“Mary, I’m very sorry. Let us know if there’s anything we can do.”

“Thanks, Ms. Hoke.” In a slight daze, she stood and followed Mr. Landa out. The bell hadn’t rung yet for next class. Students were milling about in the entryway. Mr. Landa guided her to the door. His hand was again on her shoulder. She wanted to shrug it off but couldn't bring herself to do it. What had happened to Gran?

“Mary!” She looked up at Rachel’s call. She and Kyle were standing at the stairway entrance. Mr. Landa paused to let her speak to them. Rachel rushed up.

“What’s going on?”

“Gran’s been hurt.”

“What?” She pulled Mary into a hug.

“They say she fell. Mr. Landa’s taking me to the hospital.”

“Okay, I'm coming.”

At that statement, Mr. Landa jumped into the conversation. “I’m sorry Rachel, but you need to go to class.”

She turned to glare at him. “I love her, too!”

“That may be, but the hospital will only allow family to see her right now. You can come by after school, during visiting hours.”

“It’s okay, Rach. I’ll see you in a little while.”

Rachel nodded and gave her a hug. “Don’t do anything stupid until I get there,” she whispered.

Mary nodded and hugged her again.

Her eyes met Kyle’s over Rachel’s shoulder. He looked uncomfortable. She gave him a small smile. “Hope everything’s okay,” he offered.

She nodded. The bell rang. Mr. Landa began going to the main doors again. She followed behind to the staff parking lot. She didn’t know what car he drove. She was surprised when the black Kia Amante’s lights blinked. She’d figured him for a Chevy Corsair or maybe an Ugo.

She got into the passenger seat. “Thanks for giving me a ride,” she said as she buckled her seat belt.

“It’s no problem. I’m glad I can help. Do you know why your grandmother was at the hospital?”

“She was going to see an old friend. I met him while volunteering, and she was going to talk to him.”

Landa nodded absently as he backed out. “How’s volunteering?”

“It’s okay. Everyone seems really nice.”

“That’s good. So you’re friends with Kyle?”

She got the feeling that this was no longer a simple favor for her but a scheduled session. “Yeah, I guess. I’m friends with his brother, so I guess I’m friends with him.”

“Vicky and Cyrus are close.”

She slouched down in her seat and fixed her eyes on the windshield. Why did everyone feel the need to discuss this with her? “Yeah, they like each other.”

“But you and Vicky have never gotten along.”

“No, but we’re doing okay now.”

His eyes slanted to her. “Since she’s been in a coma?”

She knew what he was thinking, but she wasn’t being sarcastic. “Yeah, we talk all the time now.”

He shook his head.

“I do want Vicky to get better. I may not particularly like her, but her parents and Cy care about her, so I want her to get better.”

“That’s good.”

“Do you know anything about Gran?”

He didn’t answer. She wanted to curl into a little ball. What had happened to Gran?

They arrived at the hospital in silence. Mr. Landa pulled up at the front. She opened the door and had one foot out when she turned back. “Thanks for the lift. I got it from here.”

“Are you sure?”

She glanced toward the hospital. “I know the layout pretty well. I’ll get the room number from information. I’m sure you need to get back to school. Mrs. Pillar is here if I need anything. Don’t worry about me.”

“I’m not worried. I just want to make sure that you’re okay.”

“Aren’t those the same thing?”

He gave her a small grin. “A little. Will you be okay?”

“I’ll be fine. Once I see Gran, everything will be okay.”

He looked at her for a moment as if he were determining whether she was telling the truth. She was getting antsy. She wanted to get inside now. He finally nodded. “If you need anything, give me a call.”

She nodded as she closed the door, and then strode into the hospital. Once she was inside, she faltered. What had happened to Gran? How was she? She wanted to know, but she was scared to find out. The hospital appeared no different than when she'd been there last night. Visitors and staff went about their business as usual, but it was different this time. Someone she cared about had been admitted. Her first stop was the information desk. The woman working there smiled sunnily at her. She couldn’t return even a half smile. “Could you tell me what room Helena Dubont is in, please?”

She looked up the name in her computer. “She was put in room 224.”

Mary recognized the room number and raised an eyebrow. She started for the elevators before the receptionist looked up from her computer screen.

The elevator was empty when she got on it.
“What floor, please?”

“Two. Did the Shadowman attack my grandmother?” The button for two lit up, but the ghost didn’t reply. “Do you know anything about what happened to my grandmother?”

Still the ghost didn’t answer. Why wouldn’t anyone tell her anything? She crossed her arms and tapped her feet.

“Second floor.”

The elevator stopped and the doors slid open. “Thanks,” Mary grumbled as she strode out. She quickly turned down the hall to room 224. As she arrived there and reached to open the door, raised voices stopped her.

“You are so full of it! Tolliver’s book was a crock, and you know it!”

“He got the alignment right, didn’t he?”

“Pure chance! He doesn’t know his Manipura chakra from a bleeding ulcer!”

She pushed the door open slowly and peeked in. Gran was sitting up, with her left foot suspended over the bed. She looked flushed and ornery. Mr. White was rather rosy in the cheeks as well.

“Gran?”

“Mary! Oh no, I told the hospital not to call the school.”

She went to the bed and stared at her suspended foot. It wasn’t in a cast. It was in an ace bandage. The injury didn't make sense. “Did the Shadowman do this?”

“No, tell her what really happened!” Mr. White said.

She glanced at him and then back at her. “Gran?”

“Don’t pay any attention to him.”

“Did the Shadowman do this?”

“No, dear. I slipped. That’s all. I sprained my ankle, and now I’m waiting on x-rays to see if I broke anything.”

“If you believe that, then instead of her foot, they should x-ray your head!”

“What’s he talking about?”

“He has this crazy notion—-”

Mr. White shook his finger at her. “It is not crazy! You fell down those stairs on purpose!”

Gran rolled her eyes. “Yes, that sounds sane and sensible.”

“I didn’t say you were sane or sensible.”

Mary didn't know what to believe. “Did the Shadowman do this?!”

“No!” They both shouted.

She threw up her hands. “Then what’s going on?”

Gran’s lips screwed up into a scowl. Mr. White, though, was more than eager to answer. “Because I wouldn’t tell her anything about that stupid Shadowman, she went and hurt herself so she could trap me and wear me down until I tell her what she wants to know. It’s insane, and I’m not telling you a blasted thing!”

Mary turned to Gran hoping for a more sensible answer. “Gran, is that what happened?”

She lifted her chin and looked down her nose at her. There was a flintiness in her eyes that Mary knew well. She couldn’t believe it. Gran had totally done it on purpose. She’d twisted her ankle to trap and interrogate Mr. White. “Have you at least found out anything?”

“He’s a stubborn old man.”

“You’re damn right. You ain’t getting anything out of me.”

Gran cast a sideways glare at Mr. White that looked absolutely evil. He didn't know it yet, but he was in for trouble. "Mary, the doctors suggested I stay overnight for observation. I think I will.Be a dear and bring me a few things from home." The way she sweetly said it made Mary's eyes dart to Mr. White. He was in for it now. “Along with all the regular stuff, could you bring a few specials things? I'd like my CD player and my Dean Martin CDs. He's such a wonderful singer. Listening to him will certainly lift my spirits. And did you notice that the television has a DVD player? Bring all of my Martin and Lewis movies. We could have a marathon. Wouldn't that be fun? And finally, I'd really like to have my autographed picture of Dino with me. Holding it is such a comfort. Got that?”

Every time she mentioned Dean Martin, Mr. White’s eye had twitched. The way Gran sounded, one would think she was a total Dean Martin fan girl, and Mary had known she liked him, but she didn’t listen to his music much or watch the DVDs. She’d probably have to wipe dust off them before bringing them in.