Previous chapters of the Vista Falls story:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

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

Last time, after sneaking out of her house, Vera ran into Mr. Barrymore by the old courthouse. My Barrymore threatened Vera and said that if she didn’t help him find Mina, he would turn her in for breaking the city curfew. When Vera refused to talk with him, Mr. Barrymore became very angry and frightened Vera. Not thinking clearly, Vera kicked Mr. Barrymore in the leg and then ran off. Vera ran to Mrs. Conn’s shop, hoping the door would be unlocked. Finding the door locked, Vera wondered what she should do. She was afraid that Mr. Barrymore had already called her parents and told them what she had done. Did Vera go straight home or did she call for help? Here’s what you decided.

Chapter 28
A Call for Help

At that very moment Vera ducked into the alley behind Kitty Conn’s Candy Corner.
She checked the back door, hoping Mrs. Conn might have left it unlocked.

The door was locked.

Vera knew that Mrs. Conn’s assistant, Johann, and his wife, June, lived in the apartment above the bakery. She thought about shouting to them, so they could let her in. But, she didn’t want to wake their baby. “Besides,” Vera thought, “they’ll just call my mom and dad and I’ll be in big trouble.”

Vera thought about going home and sneaking back in. Maybe no one would notice that she had left in the first place. Maybe no one had to know.

“Barrymore will tell on me. He’s probably already called my house.” Vera thought to herself. “What am I going to do?”

Vera fumbled in her pocket for her cell phone. Her hands were shaking very badly. She thought about who she should call. She remembered that earlier that day, Officer Littlepoole had let her have her home phone number so Vera could call to talk about the wedding planning. Vera had programmed the number into her cell phone.

Vera dialed Officer Littlepoole’s number. The phone rang four times before Officer Littlepoole answered.

“Hello,” Jenny Littlepoole said.

“Officer Littlepoole, it’s Vera.” Vera said in a shaky voice.

“Vera, where are you? It’s late.” Jenny Littlepoole asked.

“I’m in trouble.” Vera trembled.

“What’s happened? Where are you? It sounds as if you’re outside. I can hear the wind blowing.” The officer said quickly.

“I am outside. I’m at the town square.” Vera confessed.

“You’re what?” Officer Littlepoole asked. “We dropped you off at home hours ago. What are you doing out so late.”

“I wanted to do some more investigating, so I snuck out of the house.” Vera admitted. “But, I saw Mr. Barrymore and he frightened me.”

“Are you okay? Are you safe?” The police woman asked.

“I am, I think.” Vera said quickly. “I’m in the alley by Mrs. Conn’s shop. But…” Vera paused.

“What?” Officer Littlepoole prodded the teen.

“I…well…I kicked Mr. Barrymore.” Vera began to cry.

“You were frightened. You did that out of fear.” Jenny said gently.

“I’m scared. I need help.” Vera sobbed.

“I’ll be right there.” Officer Littlepoole said. “Stay by Mrs. Conn’s shop.”

“I will.” Vera said, wiping her eyes. “Thank you.”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Jenny Littlepoole continued.

“Will you tell my parents?” Vera asked.

“Yes, I’ll have to.” Officer Littlepoole said softly. “But, don’t worry about that now. Just stay where you are and try to keep an eye out for Mr. Barrymore.”

“Okay.” Vera said into the phone.

“Vera, everything will be just fine. Don’t worry. I’ll see you in a few minutes.” The officer said before hanging up.

Vera put her cell phone back in her pocket and wiped her eyes again.

She leaned against the brick wall of Mrs. Conn’s shop and looked from side to side. She waited there for what seemed like a long time. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed.

After awhile, Vera heard footsteps coming down the alley.

Vera’s heart began to beat very fast. She peered into the darkness to see who was coming. She could make out the shape of a person. It looked like a woman, but it didn’t look like Officer Littlepoole.

Vera wondered if she should call out. “I’m here!” But, if it wasn’t Jenny Littlepoole, Vera didn’t want to draw attention to herself.

Vera squinted into the darkness. “Who is that?” She nervously thought to herself.

Who was it?

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