Previous chapters of the Vista Falls story:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

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

Last time, Blaine convinced Kate that running away wasn’t the best option. Blaine and Kate talked about their difficult lives and Blaine got Kate to agree that she needed to go back with him to the hospital to talk with her Aunt Ivy. Meanwhile, Mr. Dinello told Ivy Molton that he and the teens would go look for Kate. As they searched for Kate, Mr. Dinello’s cell phone rang with a call from Mr. Jaquith who mysteriously told Mr. Dinello he needed to come back to the museum. What happened next? Here’s what you decided.

Chapter 15: Trouble at the Museum…And the Hospital
By Joseph Crisalli

Mr. Dinello and the teens told Lucy they would be back with Kate and left the hospital in search of their friend. Mr. Dinello’s cell phone rang from the pocket of his jacket.

“Now, this thing works!” Mr. Dinello muttered. “When we were stuck in the elevator, I couldn’t get a signal!”

He answered the phone.

“Jeff!” Mr. Jaquith said urgently. “We’ve got trouble here at the museum. I’m with Sam and Jenny. We need you to come back right away.”

“But, Claude,” Mr. Dinello said. “We’re still waiting to see what’s wrong with Vera and there’s been some emotional drama with Kate. We’re looking for her right now.”

“Jeff, this is serious…” Mr. Jaquith said.

“So is what we’re doing.” Mr. Dinello said patiently. “Not only do we not know what condition Vera is in, we’re looking for Kate.”

“Kate?” Mr. Jaquith asked.

“She and her aunt had words at the hospital. Kate ran off—as she does. We’re looking for her.” Mr. Dinello explained. “I’m going to need some more information about what’s happening with you there. What’s wrong?”

“As I said, I’m with Sam and Jenny in the corridor up here on the second floor of the museum. We found some…graffiti, I guess you could call it. It’s a drawing on the wall—of you.” Mr. Jaquith said.

“Me?” Mr. Dinello answered over the phone. “Who would…”

“We need you to come back, Jeff.” Mr. Jaquith said.

“I will as soon as we find Kate.” Mr. Dinello agreed. “I’m glad you’re with Sam and Jenny. You told them everything?”

“Yes.” Mr. Jaquith said.

“I’ll be there soon.” Mr. Dinello concluded.

“Good luck finding Kate. And tell the Moltons that we hope Vera is all right.” Mr. Jaquith added before hanging up.

“What is it Mr. Dinello?” Delia asked.

“More trouble at the museum.” Mr. Dinello answered. “Now, let’s find Kate.”

But, there was even more trouble at the museum than Mr. Dinello realized.

Chief Colbert sniffed the air and looked at his wife. “I smell smoke.”

Jenny sniffed. “It’s faint, but I do, too.”

“We’d better go check it out.” Sam Colbert said. “Claude,” he turned to Mr. Jaquith, “do you want to come with us?”

“I’ll wait here.” Mr. Jaquith said. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“We’ll be right back.” Jenny Littlepoole patted Mr. Jaquith's shoulder.

With that, they went back downstairs.

Mr. Jaquith found the museum’s shadowy corridor to be rather spooky. He sniffed the air, too, and found the scent of smoke to be stronger. Wheeling his chair around her squinted into the darkness ahead of him.

Suddenly, he felt a push from behind! Someone had shoved his wheelchair!

Mr. Jaquith rolled quickly down the corridor toward the museum’s grand marble staircase!

He screamed as his shaking hands reached for the brakes!

At that very moment, at the hospital, Kate and Blaine walked in to the emergency room to hear screaming, also.

It was a high-pitched sob.

“Aunt Ivy.” Kate whispered. She stopped in her tracks.

“That’s your aunt screaming?” Blaine asked, his eyes widening.

“Yes.” Kate said, her voice barely audible. She began to shake with fear. “Something’s happened with Vera. I can tell…”

Blaine took Kate’s hand. “We have to go there right now.”

“I can’t.” Kate trembled. “I’m scared.”

What should Kate do?

Stay and hide in the hallway with Blaine?
Rush to her family?
Ask a nurse what’s happening?

Go to next chapter!