breathing hard and grunting as he lunged toward her, grabbing at her clothes.
Suddenly Diane realized she was right in front of Mrs. Murphy’s fence. She started yelling and pounding on the gate. “Help! Help! Somebody please help me!” Diane was so panic-stricken at this point that she did not even consider the consequences of what she was doing.
The gate flew open almost immediately and Mrs. Murphy stepped out onto the sidewalk. She was wearing a long coat and a wide-brimmed hat that cast a shadow across her face. She was holding a long walking stick with a large figure on the top end. The stick was certainly big enough to do some damage—and she looked like she was ready to use it. The huge black dog standing next to her growled and bared his teeth.
Diane let out a little scream. By now the other boys had caught up to Breck. But, when they saw Mrs. Murphy and her dog, they came to a dead stop, and stood looking at her with their mouths wide open.
“What is going on out here? Can’t a body have some peace and quiet in this town anymore?” Glancing down at the dog she said, “Basil and I were just about to close our eyes when we heard all the commotion. Where are you boys supposed to be right now? Don’t you think it’s a little late to be playing games on Main Street? Why aren’t you at the mall terrorizing the shoppers?”
Mrs. Murphy motioned Diane to her side—she complied at once.
Breck started toward Diane, but stopped short when he heard his name from one of the other boys. They heard a sound and all the boys jerked their heads around and looked across the street. Mr. Simpson, who owned Simpson’s Grocery, was running toward them. He was wearing baggy pajamas and carrying a shotgun. Every other time Diane had seen Mr. Simpson, he had worn a big smile on his face, but he was not smiling now.
“Hey! You boys there! Get away from those women!” Mr. Simpson yelled as he waved his twelve-gauge frantically in the air and kept running in their direction.
In unison the boys turned and ran back toward downtown. Breck shouted over his shoulder, “Simpson, we’re not done with you! You can’t get away with this!”
“Get on out of here, you hoodlums! And don’t come back. Next time I’ll use this on you!” He shouted at the boys.
Mr. Simpson lowered his shotgun and walked over to Mrs. Murphy. “Anna, what’s the trouble? Are you alright? Did they hurt either of you?”
Before she could answer, he wheeled around and looked at Diane with a puzzled look on his face. “Diane…..is that you? What on earth are you doing out so late? Why are you wearing that robe? It’s not Halloween and it’s not Sunday! Who were those boys? Do your Grandparents know where you are?”
While Diane was still bent over, huffing and puffing, gasping for air—he turned back toward Mrs. Murphy and kept right on talking. “I had just climbed into bed when I heard screaming and hollering coming from your place. I grabbed my gun and came running. I didn’t know what was happening—still don’t.” He finally stopped talking and looked expectantly at Mrs. Murphy.
“We’re alright, Amos. Those are the same boys who were causing trouble before. We need to do something about this. They’re some of the ones who are ruining Rosemont.”
“Do you want me to call the police?”
“No thanks, Amos. I’ll call them after Diane and I have had a chance to talk. Since they saw you with the gun, there shouldn’t be any other trouble tonight. But just to be on the safe side, I think we should turn on our alarms.”
“I agree, Anna. Things have really gotten out of hand here lately. Anyone would think this was Atlanta or Charlotte!”
“You’re absolutely right, Amos.”
At that moment a police cruiser pulled up next to the group and Mrs. Murphy went over to talk to them through their open window. After a few minutes the car moved slowly away, turned around, and headed toward downtown.
“I’ve made them aware of the problem,” explained Mrs. Murphy. “They’re going to investigate the situation and get back with us tomorrow.”
“In the meantime, would you like me to take Diane home? You two will catch your death standing out here in this damp night air. I’m starting to shiver myself.”
“No thanks. I’ll get her inside and take care of her.”
Turning to Diane Mrs. Murphy said in a consoling manner, “We’ll call you grandparents and let them know where you are. And I expect you could do with something warm to drink.”
“Well, if you ladies are sure you’re alright, we can sort out this mess tomorrow. I agree that those cowards will not dare show their faces here again tonight—or maybe ever again.”
“Thanks for your help. I know I can always count on you. Now go back home and get some sleep. You have to open the store early tomorrow. And Amos, please be careful with that gun!”
With that Mr. Simpson said his goodbyes and turned to go home.
As he walked across the street, Diane turned to Mrs. Murphy. Although she was still shaking all over but had caught her breath enough to be able to squawk out the words, “Thank you. If you and Mr. Simpson had not been here—they would have…..They were going to…..to……”
How could Diane explain what had happened at the party? Would anyone believe her? But, even she didn’t know exactly what had been about to happen to her. She just knew it was something horrible—and dangerous.
Mrs. Murphy put her arm around Diane and spoke in a calm, soothing voice, “Come on in the house with me, child. You’re safe now. And there is someone inside who wants to meet you."
The unmistakable fragrance of fresh roses with a hint of vanilla filled the air. It was just like the perfume worn by Cybele and Selene. The familiar fragrance helped Diane calm down a little.
Maybe Susan had been wrong about Mrs. Murphy. She didn’t sound or act like a witch—or an old hag. But, what did a witch or an old hag sound or act like?
Diane was feeling confused and exhausted. But, Mr. Simpson seemed to think Mrs. Murphy was normal. Otherwise he wouldn't have come to their rescue. And the police didn’t seem to be worried about her. Besides, Susan had been so dreadfully wrong about so many things. And Diane knew she had been wrong about Susan.
At this point she wasn’t sure whether to trust her own judgment about people anymore. Still, she was more than a little curious about Mrs. Murphy and what was inside her house. Who wanted to meet her? Was there a Mr. Murphy? If so, why hadn’t he come outside too? Her head began to swim with all these questions whirled in her mind.
“Let me help you, dear,” offered Mrs. Murphy, taking Diane’s arm.
Not knowing that her life was about to change forever, Diane went with Anna Murphy into The Rose Gate…..
Through the Rose Gate...Chapters One and Two Page 6
