Haunted Girl Walking Page 18

  My heart beat faster and I wanted to get out of the car, but also, I wanted to get away from the guy at the same time. Why couldn’t I get my phone to work?

  “I guess you know now,” Abigail said.

  “I know what you did? Is that what you mean? That you murdered that woman at the antique shop?”

  Just saying the words made my stomach twist into a knot. This wasn’t looking good for me. Here I was in the car with Abigail with no way to get out. And my phone wouldn’t work. She was still driving though, so I wasn’t sure where she was taking me.

  “Where are we going?” I asked.

  She made another left turn. We had been driving for quite a bit without her saying a word. That was when she took another left turn. The area looked familiar again. Soon I realized that we had just made a big U-turn and were headed back to the church area. This was not far from the turn where I had lost the guy when he fell off the trunk of the car.

  “Why are you bringing me back here?” I asked.

  She chuckled. “I think you know why I’m bringing you back here.”

  Yes, sadly I knew she probably wanted to kill me too. I knew my phone wouldn’t work in this area too. So that wasn’t going to save me. I wasn’t sure how I’d get out of the situation. It looked as if I was doomed. I couldn’t give up yet. I had to remain positive. Could I run and get away from her too?

  Sure enough we pulled up to the area where I had originally parked and the guy had jumped onto my car. My car was still parked up the street. Staying inside of it seemed like a much better idea now. Although Abigail would have driven up and discovered me at some point. Not to mention the other guy. Where was he, by the way? Was he still in the wooded area looking for me? Would he come and discover both of us here?

  She parked the car in one of the spots and turned off the ignition. She turned to look at me. Should I take this as my opportunity to run? No doubt she would give chase. I had no idea if she was fast or not. I knew my short legs didn’t give me much of an advantage.

  “Too bad your phone doesn’t work out here,” she said. “It’s such an isolated area.”

  “Yes, too bad,” I said.

  She was just toying with me.

  “Why did you bring me out here? What do you want?”

  As if I didn’t know. Actually, I didn’t want her to even tell me. Just hearing it would send a shiver down my spine. She reached into her bag and pulled out a gun. My eyes widened and I remained frozen. I didn’t know what to do.

  “Okay, it’s time for us to get out of the car,” she said.

  “Do you remember that there’s some crazy guy out there? Maybe it’s better we stay here.”

  I was pretty much doomed no matter what I did. If I got out the guy could get us, if I stayed in she would get me.

  “I know all about the guy,” she said around a laugh.

  “You know him?” I asked. “I suppose I should’ve known that you would be friends with someone like that.”

  Me and my big mouth. She didn’t look as if she enjoyed being insulted.

  “Get out of the car,” she demanded.

  Chapter 24

  We were outside of the car now.

  “Where are we going?” I asked.

  “Just follow me and don’t ask stupid questions,” she said.

  When she aimed the gun right at me I got the point. I wouldn’t ask stupid questions if I could help it. Where we were going didn’t seem like a stupid question to me.

  As we headed across the way I glanced around to see if the psycho guy was anywhere nearby. Wasn’t she worried about encountering him? Oh, yeah, she was apparently BFFs with the guy. She was behind me with the gun pointed at me, so I couldn’t take off like I wanted to. We were headed for the church. What was that all about? Why was she here in the first place?

  “You’re walking too slow. Can you step it up?” she asked.

  “Well, I can only go so fast. My legs are short. Plus, that guy injured my leg when he tried to kill me.”

  “Oh, you’re not that short. What are you, five two?”

  She ignored my comment about attempted homicide.

  We reached the church now, moving up the old stone steps. She stopped at the double doors and motioned for me to open them. I reached out and grabbed hold of the handles and yanked on them. They didn’t budge. It seemed like they were stuck.

  “Try harder,” she said.

  “I’m not that strong,” I said.

  “’I’m not strong enough.’ ‘I’m too short.’ Excuses, excuses. Don’t make me have to put this gun down and try it. I’ll be very angry.”

  Wasn’t she already angry? I grabbed the handles again and gave them another yank. I stumbled backwards when the doors opened, almost falling off the steps. Surprisingly she caught me. Which was kind of odd.

  “Watch what you’re doing,” she said. “Now go inside.”

  Reluctantly I moved as she motioned with the gun. I stepped inside of the dark church. Abigail followed right behind me. Pews lined both sides. A stained-glass window adorned the wall at the front of the altar. It was dim in there, as barely any light came through. A tiny bit of light came from the open doors. But that didn’t last long when we stepped inside and she closed the doors behind us. Now it was truly creepy in here. What was she going to do in here? This place was making me have a full-fledged panic attack.

  “Why did you bring me here?” I asked.

  “I thought I told you not to ask stupid questions.”

  “How is that a stupid question? I want to know why I’m here.”

  Okay, I needed to calm down. She was the one with the gun. There was no reason to make her even angrier.

  “Why don’t you take a seat?” she said, gesturing toward the pew beside me.

  Reluctantly, I scooted into the pew and sat down.

  “Now see, was that so hard?” she asked in a smart-aleck tone.

  Now would she finally tell me why we were here? Apparently not because all of a sudden, the door burst open and the guy who had been chasing me appeared. Abigail almost tumbled to the ground as she lost her balance. I’d hoped she would drop the gun so that I could grab it, but she managed to keep hold of it.

  I scooted away down the pew to put distance between me and the crazed man. He had a manic look in his eyes.

  “What the heck is your problem?” she yelled. “You almost made me lose the gun.”

  “Sorry, Sta—,” he said.

  She held her hand up, cutting him off.

  Abigail glanced over at me, giving me a nasty book. He had almost called her by her real name and she had cut him off. He’d apologized to her. How well did they know each other?

  “What do you want from me?” he asked.

  “I don’t have time to deal with you right now. I told you to wait outside until I’m ready.”

  Ah-ha, they knew each other.

  “But I thought you needed me to…”

  Abigail held her hand up again. “No, Pete, wait outside.”

  “I’m still getting the money you promised me, right?” he asked.

  The guy gave her a nasty look but then he ultimately turned around and walked out of the church.

  “You forgot to close the doors behind you,” she yelled.

  He stomped back up the steps and closed the doors.

  After a few seconds, she turned her attention to me again. “Now where were we?”

  “I have no idea. I still don’t know why I’m here.”

  “Because you interfere,” she said.

  “Interfere in what? You murdering people?” I asked.

  “I don’t like the way you talk to me,” she said.

  Well, I hated being held hostage and threatened. I had to figure out a way to get out of here. But that seemed impossible considering she had a gun pointed at me and the only way out was the door behind me. There were back doors, but it would take much longer to run to find those. I stared at her, hoping that she would change her mind and let me go.<
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  Movement at the front of the church caught our attention. Abigail was distracted now. Should I take this time to run out the door? No, she would not let me get away with that. A white mist appeared by the altar. Abigail moved back a couple steps, but kept her stare focused on the event unfolding at the back of the church.

  The mist continued swirling as if it was forming into a shape. Was this a ghost? Only a few seconds passed when I realized that yes, it was a ghost—in a sense. It was my doppelgänger. Abigail stumbled back a few more steps and then looked at me as if she was confused.

  “What’s going on here?” she yelled. “What kind of game are you playing?”

  I held my hands up. “I’m not playing any games. That’s a doppelgänger. And you know it.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She seemed like she was terrified now.

  Her hand shook and I hoped she didn’t accidentally let that gun go off while pointing it at me. Abigail seemed as if she was entranced by the doppelgänger, like she couldn’t stop looking. She moved up the aisle toward the doppelgänger. She wasn’t even paying attention to me. I had to use this chance to get out of there. I jumped up from the pew and headed for the doors. My hands had never shaken so much in all my life. I was hyperventilating too.

  I grabbed the doors and pushed until I got out. But now I had to make sure she didn’t come after me. I looked all around for any sign of the guy. Was he hiding? How would I keep her from coming after me? I spotted a huge stick near the bottom of the steps.

  After closing the doors, I grabbed the stick and shoved it through the handles, hoping that this would keep her in there until I got away and called the police. This was little relief for me, since I knew that guy had to be around here somewhere.

  It was only a matter of time until the guy spotted me. I took off running for the parking lot. What was I going to do now? Ah-ha. I remembered seeing her leave the keys in her car. That would be perfect. Now I just had to reach the car without the guy finding me.

  I took off running as fast as I could toward the car. I kept glancing over my shoulder hoping that I wouldn’t find him back there. So far, he was nowhere in sight and Abigail hadn’t gotten out of the church either. I couldn’t believe I’d gotten out of there. Now if only I reached her car in time. My whole body shook as I ran.

  I was almost there now. The car was in sight and I was headed for the finish line. I practically fell on the car when I reached out. I scampered around the back and over to the driver side door. I was glad she had been dumb enough to leave the key in the ignition.

  I bet she wished she hadn’t made that mistake now. I fumbled with the door handle until I finally got the door open. I practically fell inside the car. My first mission was to lock the doors. Once the doors were secured I felt a little bit of relief. I turned on the ignition and checked the gas gauge. A full tank. Yes! I was out of here now. There was no way to stop me. I glanced over and saw her driver’s license sitting right there. I hadn’t noticed it before since I’d been a bit distracted by everything else.

  I picked up the driver’s license. Stacy Tucker. So that was her real name… or was it? The guy had started to call her Stacy. So I knew I’d heard that. At least that was what he thought her name was. That was when it hit me. I recognized the name. Stacy Tucker was Meredith’s niece.

  Stacy had killed her own aunt. No doubt in order to inherit the house and everything in it. I put the car into reverse and navigated out of that parking spot. After I shoved the car into drive, I punched the gas. I couldn’t express my happiness that I was finally getting out of there. I was back at that spot where the guy had first attacked my car. Please don’t let him show up again and do the same thing all over. My car on the other road was visible now. I’d have to go down a different way and pray that I didn’t get lost.

  Never underestimate the smarts of a librarian. I’d shown her a thing or two. Wait until Brannon realized what I’d done. Yes, I was feeling a little bit cocky. I was kind of proud of what I’d done. I smiled as giddiness made me dance on the inside.

  That feeling lasted all of a couple of seconds until Pete jumped on top of the hood of the car. Seriously? What was this guy’s problem? Was he trying to get run over? He was completely insane. I wouldn’t let him stop me this time. Now he glared at me from the other side of the windshield as I tried to see around him to continue to drive. How long would I be able to do this? I was going about ten miles an hour now.

  “Get off the car,” I yelled.

  He just smiled with a psycho look on his face. There was no way I would stop. I had a full tank of gas and I was going forward. I managed to get out on the other road now. He was still hanging on. This guy was seriously insane. At least he hadn’t let Abigail out of the church.

  As I continued driving on that road I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw blue lights flashing behind me. Was I being stopped by the police? Fine by me. When I looked again I realized it wasn’t just any ordinary police officer. Brannon had arrived. Oh, thank goodness. I wanted to cry from relief.

  Brannon jumped out of his car and ordered the guy to get off my car. Brannon had his gun drawn and pointed at the guy. One wrong move and this could turn seriously bad. Well, worse than it was already because it was already bad. Surprisingly, the guy did as he was told and got off the car with his hands held high in the air. I wouldn’t feel any relief until Brannon had this guy in handcuffs and in the back of his car. Even as I sat in the car I heard Brannon order the guy to get to the ground.

  There was no way I would unlock the doors or put down the window until I knew this guy was secure and handcuffed. Brannon was closer to the car now and glanced over at me. I held up my hand to let him know that I was okay. With no resistance Brannon handcuffed Abigail’s accomplice and escorted him toward the car. The guy glared at me on the trip past my car.

  Finally, I was able to release a deep breath and unlock the car doors. After a few seconds when I thought it was safe, I got out from behind the wheel. When I looked to the left, I saw Abigail storming toward us. Brannon was still putting Abigail’s buddy into the back of the car.

  “Look out, Brannon” I said. “She has a gun.”

  Brannon shut the car door and in a split second pulled his gun out again, pointing it at Abigail.

  “Put the weapon down,” he yelled.

  I was frozen on the spot. Thank goodness she did as she was told and put the gun down.

  “Down on the ground with your arms out,” Brannon ordered.

  Abigail lay on the ground just as the other guy had. Brannon hurried over to her and got her up.

  “I have another set of handcuffs in the front of the car,” he yelled. “Can you get them?”

  Gladly. I raced over and reached into the front of the car.

  “You’re lucky that the cop came along when he did,” Pete said from the backseat of Brannon’s cruiser.

  “Yeah, well, you’re lucky that he did because I was about to run over you with my car like you did to me.”

  That was the best comeback I could come up with. Whatever. Not that clever, but under the circumstances I figured I could be forgiven for not being witty. The guy was a scumbag and I didn’t want to talk to him. I grabbed the handcuffs and raced over to Brannon.

  “Put them on her,” he yelled.

  He’d actually told me to put them on her? Now that was some satisfaction. I wasn’t sure what I was doing but I managed to figure it out.

  “You’ll pay for this,” Abigail said as I slapped the handcuffs on her.

  I loved hearing the click of the metal.

  “Now you don’t have to worry about me asking stupid questions,” I said with a smug smile.

  Brannon got Abigail up from the pavement and guided her toward the car. I walked behind her with a smug smile on my face. Perhaps I shouldn’t get too cocky, but I couldn’t help myself.

  “You paid that guy to kill your aunt?” I asked. “How despicable. Why did you kill her?”<
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  “I had to get money somehow,” Abigail said with a smirk. “Sweet Aunt Meredith shouldn’t have made me the beneficiary of her life insurance. That was a wrong move on her part.”

  Brannon put Abigail in the backseat with her friend and slammed the door.

  “Why did you come out here alone?” Brannon asked with a frown.

  “My doppelgänger brought me. I think Meredith conjured the doppelgängers with her séances. Apparently they were here to help. It was too late for Meredith, but mine helped in time.”

  “I’m not so sure you need help solving crime, Ripley Van Raden.” Brannon embraced me in a hug.

  ***

  The bright sun shone in the blue cloudless sky. I had a spring in my step as I headed up the path toward the library. Even the graveyard didn’t seem spooky. Today would be a big day at the library. We had a book party planned and a children’s book reading this afternoon. My mood was happy just thinking about all fun activities. It certainly helped that there was no longer a murderer walking around town. Plus, the ghostly activity I had settled. The doppelgängers had come through to help. Unfortunately, it had been too late for Meredith.

  I couldn’t say that the ghosts would stay away forever, but for now, I was just happy to have calm over the library once again. I smiled when I stepped through the door and spotted Annie floating around the tables as if making sure everyone was happy with their book selections. Jane Austen was on top of the counter. She wagged tail, but kept her eyes shut, pretending to be asleep.

  Tammy waited for me behind the reference desk with a smile spread across her face.

  “You sure seem happy,” she said when I approached.

  “Look at everything,” I said. “It’s just the way I love it. Everyone’s enjoying their books. It’s the way it supposed to be.”

  “Yes, it’s the way it supposed to be, but for how long?”

  “I’ll just have positive thoughts and say it will be this way forever,” I said.

  She smiled. “I love the way you always have a positive attitude.”