Previous chapters of the River Road story:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

How should the story continue? Voting is open on the current chapter!

Last time, as Mia Duomo was confronting Vivian Crane about the mysterious painting of Sam and Jenny Colbert, they were interrupted by the sound of the museum’s freight elevator opening. Suddenly, Mr. and Mrs. DeLorca heard familiar voices calling out to them for help. Inside the elevator were several of the teens from Vista Falls Junior High; their teacher, Jeff Dinello; and Claude Jaquith—caretaker of Cascades Park. The teens and their friends said that they had also found the painting of Sam and Jenny Colbert and that when the painting disappeared, they, also, followed a trail of white footprints. The trail lead them to the elevator where they had become stuck. In their attempt to escape, the teens found a similarly disturbing painting of their friend Vera—a sight which so upset Vera that she passed out. Knowing that Vera’s heart was weak and could potentially be damaged, the teens had hoped that someone would help them. While Mrs. DeLorca comforted Vera’s friends, Mr. DeLorca called an ambulance for the ill teen. The DeLorcas explained their experiences with the painting of Sam and Jenny Colbert and then noticed that not only was the painting gone, so was Vivian Crane! Not only that, Mia Duomo was also missing! As they tried to figure out what happened to Mia, they heard a piercing scream from the floor below. Recognizing Mia’s voice, they wondered what to do. What happened next? Here’s what you decided.

Chapter 9: Spot-On
by Joseph Crisalli

“Where’s Mia?” Mrs. DeLorca looked over her shoulder.

“I don’t see her.”

“Miss Duomo walked down the corridor.” One of the teens, Delia, said.

“She said she had something to take care of. Some unfinished business.” Mr. Jaquith shrugged.

At that very moment, Mia Duomo was creeping down the back staircase of the museum. When she reached the bottom, she laughed, and said, “I knew I’d find you down here. I thought I told you that I never wanted to see you again. So, what are you doing in Vista Falls?”

The person to whom she was speaking did not answer.

“I want you to get out of this town.” Mia Duomo said sternly. “I won’t have you bothering my friends.”

Suddenly, Mia Duomo screamed.

From the upstairs gallery, Mr. and Mrs. DeLorca heard Mia’s terrifying screech.

“That’s Mia!” Mrs. DeLorca exclaimed.

Mr. DeLorca took his cell phone from his pocket once again.

“Who are you calling, dear?” Mrs. DeLorca asked.

“Eben.” Mr. DeLorca said quickly. “I’ll ask him to investigate.”

Eben answered his cell phone. “Hello.”

“I say, my boy.” Mr. DeLorca responded hurriedly.

“What is it, Father?” Eben asked.

“Didn’t you hear the scream, lad?” Mr. DeLorca asked.

“No.” Eben responded. “The music is so loud in here; I can barely hear the kids talking next to me.”

“Mia’s in more danger than a box full of frosted mini-doughnuts in the glove compartment of my ecologically-sound tomato-powered car-boat.” Mr. DeLorca said.

“That’s a lot of danger.” Eben responded. “And, a lot of hyphens.”

“Careful, boy.” Mr. DeLorca whispered into the phone. “I say, we don’t want you alarming Sarah, Isaac, Kathy and Nancy. We need you to go investigate. Mia’s scream came from the west staircase. I say, but if you would go there now and see if she’s all right, there’s a jolly big basket of muffins in it for you—full size. Not even mini-muffins.”

“Ummm, thanks. I don’t need to be bribed. I’ll do it without the muffins.” Eben answered.

“More muffins for me, then.” Mr. DeLorca said. “And, don’t startle the children and such. And whatever you do, don’t call Shakuntala. You know how my pelican feels about Mia Duomo. Poor thing would be pulling out her feathers in clumps.”

“I won’t…I won’t do any of that.” Eben said.

Hanging up the phone, Eben smiled at Nancy, Sarah, Isaac and Kathy.

“Who was that?” Sarah asked.

“My father.” Eben answered, still smiling.

“Everything okay?” Sarah asked. “I thought you said something about ‘danger.’”

“No. My father was talking about doughnuts.” Eben answered, trying not to frighten the kids. “You know my father—doughnuts are always in danger when he’s around.”

“Uh huh.” Sarah nodded.

“We also talked about grammar—hyphens, commas, and the like. At one point there was the usual natural switch to a mention of pelicans. Not surprising, that.” Eben rambled nervously.

“You sound more like your father every day.” Sarah smiled.

“I know,” Eben clasped his hands together. “That little nugget of information hasn’t escaped me.”

“Are you okay?” Nancy asked.

“Of course. However, will you all excuse me for a moment?” Eben said, getting up quickly. “I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” Isaac asked.

“Just…” Eben paused. “It’s just…warm in here. I thought I might, uhhh, step outside and cool off.”

“Can I come, too?” Isaac asked.

“I want to go.” Sarah said.

“Me, too.” Kathy added.

Eben’s face turned red. He looked at Nancy.

“I wouldn’t mind getting some air, too.” Nancy added.

“Well…” Eben squinted.

What should Eben say?

He should tell them the truth?
He should make something up?
He should just say, “No,” and quickly walk away.

Email your thoughts.

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