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Previous chapters of the Vista Falls 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 the teens, Mr. Dinello and Mr. Jaquith tried to search for the horrific painting and the person that painted it, they ended up following the footprints they had found. The prints—made by high-heeled shoes tracked through white paint—led to the reception hall, a back staircase and the service elevator. They decided to take the elevator so Mr. Jaquith could join them in the wheelchair. Vera, terribly afraid of enclosed spaces, worried that museum’s creaky freight elevator would get stuck. Unfortunately for Vera, her fear was realized when the elevator screeched to a halt between floors. Vera began to panic. Though the pressed the alarm button, no one came to their rescue. They wondered what to do. What happened next? Here’s what you decided.
Chapter 6: Horror Roll
By Joseph Crisalli
“Don’t worry.” Mr. Jaquith responded quickly. “There’s an emergency button. It’ll sound an alarm—a bell. Someone will come to let us out.” He pushed the button which rang weakly.
“No one will hear that in the reception hall!” Vera shrieked. “Not over the band.”
Lucy took her twin sister’s hand and held it. “Vera, it’ll be okay. I promise.”
“No, no it won’t!” Vera said, beginning to sweat. “Get me out of here!”
TJ looked around the elevator, his eyes stopping at the ceiling. “There’s a trapdoor. Maybe if Ward boosts me up, I can get up there and try to force open the door on the floor above. We could crawl out that way.”
“What about Mr. Jaquith?” Kate asked. “We can’t get his chair through there.”
“Everyone, please, stay calm.” Mr. Dinello said.
“How could we?” Vera snapped. “I feel like I can’t breathe!”
“What should we do, Jeff?” Mr. Jaquith asked as the alarm bell continued to ring.
“Come on, TJ,” Ward said. “I’ll boost you up through that trapdoor up there.”
“No, no.” Mr. Dinello shook his head. “It’s too dangerous.”
“You think that’s too dangerous?” Vera said frantically. “What about hanging by a cable two stories off the ground? Because that’s what we’re doing right now!”
“Mr. Dinello, I think we’re pretty close to the next floor.” TJ said. “If Ward can get me up there and I can climb on top of the elevator car, I’m sure I can reach the door. I’ll bet I can pry it open. If I can’t, Rick can boost Ward up and he can help. Then, we can run downstairs and get help.”
“It isn’t a bad idea, Jeff.” Mr. Jaquith said.
“Just do it!” Vera whined.
“All right,” Mr. Dinello nodded.
Ward boosted TJ onto his shoulders and TJ reached up for the trapdoor, lifting it up. As he did, something felt out and hit the floor of the elevator with a soft slap.
“Rats!” Vera screamed, her panic reaching a new height. “It’s rats!”
“It isn’t rats,” Lucy said, trying to calm her sister. “It’s a rolled up…something.”
“It’s a canvas.” Mr. Dinello said, picking up the rolled up object. “The kind artists paint on.” He looked at Ward. “Put TJ down for a second.”
“Every second we waste, we’re still stuck in here.” Vera moaned.
“It’s okay, Vera.” Mr. Dinello said calmly.
“The alarm stopped ringing!” Vera panted. “No one knows we’re here.”
“Vera,” Lucy said to her twin, “try to stay calm. Remember your heart.”
“That’s right.” Kate’s eyes widened as she remembered that her cousin, Vera, had a badly damaged heart. It was important that Vera’s heart rate not get too high or else she could become very ill.
“Vera, why don’t you sit down on the floor in the corner where it’s cool and you have space. I just want to look at this canvas. Then, we’ll try the trapdoor again.” Mr. Dinello said.
“Fine.” Vera went to the corner of the elevator and sat down.
Mr. Dinello unrolled the canvas and looked at it. His eyes widened in horror.
“What is it, Jeff?” Mr. Jaquith asked. “What’s painted on there?”
Mr. Dinello shook his head in disbelief.
What is painted on the canvas?
Another painting of Sam and Jenny Colbert?
A portrait of Vera?
A map of Vista Falls?
Go to next chapter!
