Hell's Hollow

by Summer Stone

  Gran’s eyes continued to hold mine. “When will Mary Kate come back to our room?”

  “In a day or two,” Mom said.

  “A day or two,” Gran said to me. “You’ll come back then. You won’t let Johnny Rocket bring her down. You’ll be here for her. We can count on you?”

  “Of course we’ll be here,” Mom said. “Don’t worry so much about John Rocklin. He seems like a very nice guy.”

  “You’ve no idea what he hides, what he intends. Promise me MK can count on you.” She stared right at me.

  My whole body was tingling, my heart thrashing in my chest. I knew I couldn’t let her down.

  Sleep wasn’t even a remote possibility that night. Never, not once, had it occurred to me that I could heal Gran and MK’s craziness. It was hard enough to know that someone was in physical pain that I could fix if I was allowed, but to imagine that Gran and MK had been suffering all these years — and that I could have done something about it — was unbearable. I’d never tried to heal a mental problem. Mom hadn’t even let me visit MK before I’d learned to shield. She’d always said I was too young. Every time we’d been to Meadowland I’d felt the tug. Why hadn’t I realized I could do something?

  I paced around my small room, too wound up to be still. What if Gran was wrong? Or what if she was right, and I could heal MK, but then I went nuts, took over her spot at Meadowland?

  I didn’t believe that. Mom had most likely been lying to me about that. I hadn’t gone crazy after giving in to the tug with the chipmunk, or with Zach either. She just didn’t want me to use my power. She was a dud. Gran had said so. Maybe Mom was jealous of me. Maybe all the lies were based on her fear that the town would find out about the power. But would she really put her desire to appear normal above MK’s health? Maybe there was more to the story than I’d heard.

  I didn’t care. Gran believed in me. I couldn’t disappoint her. MK’s life might depend on it. I wished I could find out more about what was happening with Zach, if the healing had helped him. I’d have to try and check the socks again, see if he’d left another note.

  As for MK, somehow I was going to have to get her down into The Hollow where I could try to heal her. It wouldn’t be easy to break her out of that hellhole. I was going to need help. And there was only one person I could think of who was even a remote possibility.

  I got the phone from the living room and took it back to my bedroom, shutting the door behind me. It was crazy to call in the middle of the night. But if I waited, I might lose my nerve. Once I called the plan would be in motion, it would be real. Then there’d be no going back.

  “Hello?” came Luke’s sleepy voice.

  “It’s me,” I said.

  “Me who? Sera?” he asked.

  “I need your help.”

  I heard fumbling, things dropping. “Dude, it’s like three in the morning. Where are you?”

  “I know, sorry. I’m at home.”

  “Is something wrong? Is it Mom?”

  Wow, I screwed this up. “No, I don’t mean I need your help right this minute. I just mean I need your help with something — with MK.”

  “Is she okay? I couldn’t tell when I talked to Mom earlier.”

  “She’s messed up, I guess. But she’ll be back in her room soon. Luke, there’s something I need to do for her. And I need your help.”

  “Why me? I hate going to that place.”

  “I know. But it has to be you. Will you trust me?”

  He sighed dramatically. “I’m guessing you don’t want Mom to know about this.”

  “You always were the smart one,” I said, feeling hopeful that he would agree.

  “What do I have to do?”

  “Pick me up the day after tomorrow around 3:00.”

  “I don’t get off work until 5.”

  “Five is too late. We need to be done by the time Mom gets home from the bakery.”

  “Done with what exactly?” he asked.

  “Trust me,” I said.

  “I do,” he said. “It’s just … this doesn’t sound like you. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  He was right. It didn’t sound like me at all, at least not the me that I’d always been. “I’m perfect,” I said.

  “Good. Then can I go back to sleep now?”

  “Goodnight, and … thank you,” I said.

  “Not a problem.” Then he hung up.

  I wondered if he’d still feel the same way once he heard my plan.

  Chapter Fifteen

  In the morning, I went with Mom to the bakery without complaint. I plugged into my music and helped her all day. On my lunch break I snuck over to Myra Clay’s. There was no new note from Zach. I slipped one of my own inside the socks.

  Of course I’m not dead! Why would I be dead? What’s complicated? Do you need help? Are you okay? Please let me know what’s going on. I’m going to try something tomorrow — what we did. I think I know what went wrong when we tried it. I’ll be okay. Miss you. ~ S

  The house seemed strangely quiet even for Myra Clay’s. And the old style town car that rusted away in the driveway was gone. I hoped everything was okay.

  After I cleared and washed the dinner dishes, I brought Mom a cup of tea. She was looking through the mail.

  “Mom?”

  “Mmm.”

  “I was wondering if you’d mind if I stay home tomorrow. Luke promised to come by and take me out again.” I tried to stick as close to the truth as possible because I was the world’s suckiest liar.

  She looked up. “Really? You asked him to?”

  I nodded, hoping she wouldn’t ask too many questions.

  “Are you planning to go to the river again?”

  “Um, I’m not sure yet.” I kept my eyes on the wall above her head.

  “All right,” she said, looking back at the envelopes in her hand. “Be back by six so we can go for a visit. MK’s going down to her room tomorrow.”

  “Seems soon, no?” I asked, trying to sound as normal as possible.

  “I’m sure they know what they’re doing. They’ve got her on new meds. She’ll probably be somewhat sedated so she won’t be a danger to herself.”

  How can you get more sedated than she was last time we saw her? I wondered. But it wouldn’t matter. She wouldn’t be there at six. And if everything went as planned, she wouldn’t be crazy anymore at six either.

  “What’s going on with your skin?” Luke asked, as I got into his silver Jeep.

  “Nothing,” I said. “Sunburn or something.”

  “So what’s the big plan?” he asked, as we drove toward Meadowland.

  I knew I should be happy he was only fifteen minutes late, but my heart was pounding and my hands were sweaty and I couldn’t help taking it out on him. “I told you we needed to go by three o’clock!”

  He looked at me weird. “I’ll drive fast. It’ll be the same difference. Why are you all freaked out?”

  “Sorry,” I said, picking at a hangnail.

  “You haven’t told me what it is we’re doing yet.”

  “I know.” I wasn’t looking forward to actually saying it out loud.

  “So…?” he said.

  “Okay, but promise me you won’t flip out.”

  “Ser, this is you we’re talking about, right? I mean, no offense, but the most daring plan you ever came up with was the time you hid Gabe’s Green Lantern collectible action figure in the mop bucket in the laundry room.”

  “He was so annoying with that thing, flying it around the living room all day.”

  “I know, but I’m just saying, you’re not exactly the devious plan type.” He laughed. “I’m not worried. I just want to know what’s up.”

  I took a deep breath. “We’re going to break MK out of Meadowland and sneak her down to The Hollow, where I’m going to heal her mental illness.”

  He laughed again. “Seriously though…”

  I stared at him while he drove, waiting for him to realize I wasn’t joking. He looked o
ver at me, hit the brakes and pulled off the road. “I’m sorry — what?”

  I didn’t say anything at first. I wanted to give it time to sink in. But we were on a tight schedule, so I tried to explain. “Gran said it’s up to me. She said MK is suffering and I’m the only one who can help her.”

  “Just to be clear, we are talking about crazy Gran, right? The one who’s been institutionalized for the last seven years?”

  “I know it sounds crazy.” I needed him to understand.

  “It is crazy.”

  “Maybe. But Gran is counting on me and I can’t let her down.” I didn’t know what I’d do if he refused.

  “Do you even know how?”

  I swallowed. “Sort of. I mean, I think I do.”

  “Sera, I’m not doubting you, I’m just thinking maybe you should get some practice in first.”

  My chest felt tight, my skin itchy. “There’s no time for that. MK tried to kill herself. She needs relief.”

  “That’s what the doctors are for, buddy.”

  “Dude, the doctors haven’t done crap all this time. She’s been in there for over twenty years!”

  “I know, but have you thought about what could happen? I mean let’s go with the idea that this actually works. Supposedly it’ll make you just like her. And there won’t be anybody to take it away from you.”

  “Yeah, that would be terrifying if it were true. But it’s not. Mom’s been lying all along.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I just do. She lied about all those diseases I could get from touching animals, tormented me with images of sicknesses I would never recover from, and the whole thing was a hoax to keep me from trying it.”

  “Why would she do that?” he asked.

  “Your guess is as good as mine. I’m thinking it was so I wouldn’t do it, so we’d seem normal, which is about as selfish a concern as I can think of.” I checked the clock on the dashboard. We needed to move.

  “She was probably trying to protect you, give you a normal life.”

  “Yeah, how’s that working out?” I asked. “Drive, we don’t have much time.”

  To my great relief, he put the car in gear. “How are we supposed to get MK out of there, oh mistress of the wicked scheme?”

  “We have to hope she’s not too sedated to walk out. And you’re going to have to use your charm to distract Martha, the front desk lady.”

  “That’s your plan? You and MK will just walk out while I charm some old hag?”

  I sucked at scheming almost as much as I did at lying. “Pretty much, unless you have a better suggestion.”

  “We are so screwed.”

  I giggled. Then he giggled. And then, maybe because we were scared, we laughed hysterically until Meadowland came into view.

  He parked at the curb, left the Jeep unlocked. We looked at each other before heading in.

  “For MK,” I said.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Martha buzzed us in. “How sweet of you kids to come by and visit. I know your aunt and grandmother will be so pleased. Where’s Mom today?”

  “She’s working,” I said. “She’ll be by later. Do you remember my brother Luke?”

  “You sure have grown up,” she said in an only slightly lewd way. Yuck.

  “Well you haven’t changed a bit, Martha,” Luke said, flashing his charming smile. Gag. As we walked down the hall, he whispered, “I was afraid those ginormous polka dots on her dress might blind me. You should’ve told me to wear sunglasses.”

  I smiled, but my mind was elsewhere — hoping MK would be back in their room already — that we wouldn’t have to wait around. I hadn’t mentioned that possibility to Luke.

  I pushed open the door. MK was asleep in her bed. The TV was blaring. Gran seemed to be trying to climb the wall. I felt Luke pull back. I grabbed his hand.

  “Gran! Look who’s here to see you!”

  She scooted into the corner. “Close the door for heaven’s sake!”

  Luke looked scared.

  “It’s Luke!” I said, closing the door.

  He moved cautiously toward her like he thought she might bite, opening his arms for a hug.

  “Is that really Luke?” she asked.

  “Demons on the floor. Demons at the door,” Luke said, the first lines of a nursery rhyme Gran used to sing us, which now that I thought about it sounded pretty creepy.

  She gasped and hugged him tight. Then she slapped him hard on the head. “Why haven’t you visited in so long? Dear God, you’re a grown man! And you!” She turned to me. “Johnny Rocket brought her down!”

  Luke’s eyes bulged like he thought she was nuts, which I guess she was. But I knew what she meant.

  “I got here as soon as I could,” I said. “We’re going to need your help to fix MK. If it works, well, maybe I can help you, too.”

  She looked out the window. “Worry about her.”

  I figured she was scared to let me try. But I’d prove that I could do it with MK, then she wouldn’t be afraid. “We have to get her out of here, take her to The Hollow, where I can work on her.”

  She ducked as if something were zinging over her head. Her eyes bulged like she was afraid. “Someone’s coming. It’s Johnny Rocket! Hide!” She crouched behind the bed.

  “Gran, it’s okay. We didn’t do anything,” I said.

  A hot-looking guy in his mid-twenties carrying a clipboard opened the door. “I didn’t know you had guests. It’s time for therapy, Maggie.” His smile was so warm, I couldn’t imagine why Gran would be afraid of him.

  But Maggie? I’d never heard anyone call Gran Maggie before.

  “Therapy?” Gran asked. “Is that what they’re calling it? Can’t you see I’ve got my grandkids here? They were going to take us out to the garden. Spinning snakes. Chocolate cakes. Can’t it wait?” She turned to me. “Don’t look him in the eye. He’s got you under his spell already. Medusa!” she shrieked, pointing at him.

  I blushed. Luke backed away from her, looking like he wasn’t handling this well at all. I tried not to feel disappointed, tried not to imagine myself as the one he backed away from.

  John Rocklin checked his clipboard. “All right. I’ll move some appointments around, get Mr. Bannock in first so you can enjoy your family.” He winked.

  Gran screamed, held her hands up in front of her eyes, and turned her head away.

  John Rocklin stepped into the room and closed the door. His voice turned stern. “Magdalene, try to calm yourself or I’ll have to have you sedated.”

  “Hey,” Luke said. “No worries. She’s fine, man. You don’t need to do that. You’re fine, right, Gran?” He approached her slowly, offered his hand.

  Gran took it. “I’m fine. I’m just fine. Shoo.” She kept her eyes averted.

  “Why don’t I walk you all to the garden?” John Rocklin said.

  “MK, too,” I said, feeling desperately afraid he’d insist on leaving her behind.

  He looked at her still asleep in the bed through all the noise. “I’ll bring a wheelchair.” And he stepped out.

  “Do you see?” Gran said. “He’s a fake, that one!”

  “He is,” Luke agreed. “But he won’t hurt you. I’ll make sure of that.”

  Gran melted.

  Meanwhile, I tried to wake MK. “Come on, Auntie, let’s get some fresh air.”

  She groaned, blinked her eyes. She opened and closed her mouth a few times like she couldn’t quite get sound to come out.

  “They’ve got her drugged to the gills,” Gran said. “I keep trying to tell them their stupid meds won’t touch the cursed visions.”

  A look of horror passed through MK’s eyes. “Seraphina?”

  I nodded, glad she was coming around.

  “I’ve been asking for you. They wouldn’t let me see you. Your mom…” her voice trailed off.

  Mom was probably keeping me from her, didn’t want me to get scared by her latest vision. “I’m here now, Auntie,” I said. “I’m okay. There h
aven’t been any explosions to worry about.”

  “It’s not an explosion exactly. It’s inside turned outside. It’s….” She shook her hands in the air. “Rumbling and cracking and…” She seemed to tremble. A spasm twitched her arms.

  “Oh good, you’re up,” John Rocklin said, bringing the wheelchair inside. “They wanted to take you to the garden.”

  MK’s arms twitched again.

  “Is that normal?” I whispered.

  “It’s probably the new meds,” he said. “Doc says she’s at an increased risk for seizures and heart attacks. So don’t do anything crazy out there.”

  The bottom fell out of my stomach.

  He laughed. “Lighten up, kid. I’m teasing you.”

  I avoided eye contact with Luke while John Rocklin escorted us all to the garden, which was just a few feet — and two locked doors — from the parking lot.

  Once he’d gone to find poor Mr. Bannock, I squatted down next to MK. “We’re here to take you out. Luke and I are going to smuggle you to the car and take you home to The Hollow. Gran thinks I can heal you. I’m going to try. You won’t suffer anymore.”

  “Gran thinks?” Gran said. “When did I say that?”

  Was she ‘f’-ing kidding me? Blood drained out of my face. “Last time I was here. You said she was broken and she needed to be fixed. You said she was counting on me.”

  Gran looked puzzled. Luke looked freaked. MK looked confused.

  I couldn’t breathe.

  “It’s brilliant,” Gran said. “You’re a natural born healer. Why didn’t I think of this before? Through the back door. Dancing on the wind. She rises.”

  Had I imagined that she’d meant I should do it? My heartbeat felt all fluttery in my chest. Tears stung my nose. I wouldn’t let them fall. I thought I saw a flash of black fur behind one of the big potted plants, but it couldn’t have been.

  “Sera,” Luke said, sounding filled with doubt.

  “It doesn’t matter whether she meant it or not. I can do this.”

  “Maybe we should wait,” he said.

  “There’s no waiting,” Gran replied. “It’s now or never. MK needs forever. Wait a bit and she’ll tip the scales into the, into the wind is so cold down there.”