Casaday Girls, Book 2: The Creature Returns. Michael Markey
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this problem. “Even if you are right, and he left Voorhees, think about what you plan to do. The two of you are gonna dig up the key, go back into that dark filthy building, and venture down into a moldy cavern full of who-knows-what. Maybe this tomb will be loaded with slimy creatures--snakes, spiders, and other nasty vermin.”
Alexa’s eyes widened.
“You really want to do that?” Grandpa continued.
She shivered. Even THINKING about those things made her squirm and she knew Rachael was not far behind in sharing her thoughts. If they were to see even a spider web--
“We are too brave to let that bother us, Grandpa. Lex and I can do it, you know,” Rachael said. Need to show Grandpa our confidence.
“Yeah, uh, if that is what Rachael tells you. Bravery got us through it the last time, right?” Alexa added. What did I say? I must be crazy.
Grandpa stared at Peanut. Wish I had the gift of communication with animals. Maybe I could get YOU to talk some sense into them. He looked back at his granddaughters, giving them a weak smile. “What was this bonding thing between you kids and Mrs. Delong? Why would she lie to your mother to get you out of trouble?”
Rachael laughed nervously. “Funny you should mention that, Grandpa. I guess I made too big a deal about it.”
“A big deal?”
“Well, we had a little party at the Delong house--some of us soccer players, plus a few others--like Lex. Things got crazy that day. You know how kids are, Grandpa.”
He could only nod his head in reply.
“Well, we were dancing, and a vase got knocked over in the game room. There was china stuff--tiny pieces--all over the place. I am not totally sure, but maybe I was in the middle of things when it happened.”
“You have no clue?” asked Grandpa
“You were right there. I saw you, Rache,” Alexa said, to keep the blame in her sister’s corner.
“So things got out of hand.”
“Yeah, Grandpa. As it turned out, it was not all that big a deal to Pam.”
“Mrs. Delong.”
“Yeah...Pam. She told us later not to worry about it. She really hated the vase.”
Grandpa Maguire gritted his teeth as he studied what she just said. Rachael immediately recognized her slip.
“Now that I think about it, though, it could have been an expensive--” she continued.
“Hold on, grandchild. You told me a little while ago that Mrs. Delong got you out of a jam, kept it a secret from your parents, and that she would not hesitate to run you girls back out to certain danger at the old factory building. This was your backup plan when I said, ‘no way.’”
“The broken vase MIGHT have been big trouble. How do I know? What if maybe it was an urn that had her aunt’s ashes in it.”
“It was not anybody’s ashes, right? It was a piece of junk that did not matter to anyone. Especially Mrs. Delong.”
Rachael slowly nodded.
“You think adults will do what you want, strictly based on a minor incident like that? Behind your parents’ back?”
“Rache, I told you Grandpa would not buy it.”
“Lex--just shut up.”
“That is no way to talk to your sister.”
Grandpa is right, but I need to be more convincing. Time for Plan B. Hopefully it will be an award-winning performance. Rachael began to sniff. Tears trickled down her cheeks. “What else can I say to make you change your mind? Yes, it was scary out at that big old building, and who knows what we might find there now. However, we think Mr. Lasnikov is correct. The sickly old man is trapped in the tunnels and if we let him there something terrible will happen to him. I will feel awful for the rest of my life if we do nothing to save him.”
“If this man is dangerous, why in the world should we pull off this rescue mission?” Grandpa asked.
“That is the issue. Rachael and I think that if he was a dangerous vampire, he would have gotten out of this tomb on his own. He would regain the strength to heal without our help.”
Alexa entered the conversation again. “Maybe he did. How do we know that he is still there?”
The answer was obvious. Rachael said it aloud. “Only one way to know for sure. We must go back.”
“Aw, guys--” Grandpa began.
“I told you a moment ago. I read all kinds of stories about good vampires and all the cool things they do for people. I bet Mr. Fromme is one of them,” said Rachael.
Grandpa shook his head and sat down. “You better make me that hot cider now.”
While Alexa got to work Rachael dried her eyes with a tissue.
“This next question scares me, but I suppose you two have all the answers for this one, too. What are going to tell your parents so that we can slip away and investigate? After what happened last time they will get suspicious, not to mention the part where they will go crazy. Your folks are not as dumb as you think.”
“Yeah, we know.”
“Grandma too, Rachael. You know I am powerless to fool her.”
Grandpa is beginning to cave, thought Rachael. I can feel it. “How about telling our parents you are taking us Christmas shopping? The holiday will be here before you know it and we do need to find stuff for Mom and Dad.”
“Rache. Can we get through Halloween first?” asked Alexa.
“Sounds like a good year to start early for a change, girls. We can make it a little family shopping adventure, and it will get us out of the house for an afternoon.”
“We could also include Grandma’s gifts, too. Have you started with her shopping, Grandpa?” Alexa asked as she brought his cider.
“Of course not, kids. I usually wait until the last possible minute.”
“Make an exception this year. We could say we are helping you with holiday ideas. Make sense?”
“It might work. A lame excuse like that, Rachael,” he said and took a small sip from his cup. “Wait a darned minute! What are you pulling on me?”
Rachael ignored the remark. “The next question is, when do we do it?”
“Oh dear. This is moving too fast,” said Grandpa.
“Tomorrow is Saturday.” Rachael pressed forward despite his objections. “Neither one of us has anything going in the morning, so tomorrow is ideal.”
“We can take a ride back to that factory, off to rescue Mr. Fromme in this new adventure,” Alexa added.
“We must take garlic--and a crucifix, right? It is a religious thing, I know, but in my mind--”
“Of course, Grandpa. Whatever you want.”
“Oh, and in case Fromme is NOT the good vampire you hope for, how about if I bring along a hammer and wooden stakes,” Grandpa added.
“Oh! That is so gross.”
“Alexa, I take no chances this time--to protect all three of us.”
“A hammer and stakes. Really?”
“What if we go down into the underground place and we discover more of them?”
At that point Peanut came to Grandpa for a little ear-scratching attention. Alexa could read the pup’s mind as she did so. Good thought, Grandpa. Maybe I could go along, to bark like crazy and scare off these vampires. They mean well but these two sisters take too many risks.
Thanks, girl.