by Rose Pressey
“Wait. She’s stopping,” Charlotte said.
“I hope she doesn’t realize you’re following her,” Minnie said.
I eased off the gas and pulled over to the side of the road.
“Don’t let her get away,” Charlotte said.
The pressure was mounting. If Tina got away we might never catch her again. Tina turned down another isolated and narrow road. After a few seconds, I merged back onto the road and drove to where she’d turned. Right away I spotted Tina’s car pulled over to the side of the road. I turned down the street too. I kept my speed to a minimum since I hadn’t spotted Tina yet. What was she doing?
“What will you do now?” Charlotte asked.
“I have to confront her,” I said.
“Oh, that’s not creepy. You followed this woman all the way to this remote area. She’ll think you’re a stalker,” Charlotte said.
“It does seem that way,” Minnie said.
“She’ll have to get over it,” I said as I pulled the Prius up behind her car.
“She’s not even in the car,” Charlotte said.
I scanned the area. “Where is she?”
“This is so bizarre,” Charlotte said.
“I get a bad feeling about this, Cookie,” Minnie said.
I shut off the engine and got out of the car, peering around at the dense trees. Birds chirped in the distance and sun filtered through the branches. It felt as if I was completely shut off from the world. Still there was no sign of Tina. She must have gone into the woods.
“What if there was another car that picked her up?” I asked.
“I think this is a dead-end road,” Charlotte said. “The car would have turned around and come back this way.”
I walked over to Tina’s car for a closer look. Peering inside, I saw nothing unusual. Not only was there nothing out of the ordinary, there was actually nothing in the car. No purse, keys, nothing.
“She’s neat,” Charlotte said as she stood beside me.
“Look. There’s a path over there.” Minnie pointed. “Do you think she went that way?”
“I’d say that was the only way she could have gone,” I said, moving around the car toward the path.
“There is no way you are walking down that path by yourself,” Charlotte said, stepping in front of me.
I had to stop to keep from walking right through her.
“Why not?” I asked with my hands on my hips.
“Because it’s like she is luring you into the forest.”
“Oh, Charlotte. Sometimes you let your imagination get the better of you,” I said.
She raised an eyebrow. “Do I? Tell me that there isn’t a possibility she could be doing this on purpose. Go ahead, I’ll wait.”
I inhaled and released a deep breath. “Of course there is a possibility, but I can take care of myself.”
“Tyler thought the same thing.” She held her hands up. “I can’t let you do this.”
“She has a good point,” Minnie said.
“I have to go in there, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me,” I said.
Charlotte stood right in front of me with her hands on her hips, as if that was really going to stop me. She didn’t budge. I raised an eyebrow. She looked determined, but she forgot about the little detail of her being a ghost. I stepped forward and walked right through her.
“Ugh. I hate when you do that,” she said.
Moving through her had left me with cold chills even though the temperature was still warm outside.
“Sorry, Charlotte, it had to be done.” I headed down the path toward the woods.
The only sounds came from the birds high in the trees and the leaves and pine needles that crunched under my feet. It was cooler and darker under the shade of the trees. Charlotte and Minnie followed me down the path. My anxiety increased with each step. I wouldn’t let Charlotte know though. She would just remind me that this was a bad idea.
A short distance down the path and a snapping noise caught my attention. I froze on the spot.
“What was that?” I whispered.
“It was probably just a branch falling,” Charlotte said. “Don’t you dare get scared now. This was your idea.”
“It’s okay, Cookie, I’ll protect you. That’s what I’m here for,” Minnie said.
Charlotte and I looked at her.
“There you go being weird again, Minnie,” Charlotte said.
After a few more seconds with no other sounds, I continued down the path. There was no sign of Tina. The more I walked into the wooded area the more I thought Charlotte might have been right. Fear had me in its clutches now.
I wouldn’t go much farther before I turned around and headed back for the car. Even if Charlotte would be smug about the fact that she was right. Only a couple more steps and someone grabbed me from behind. The shock of it sucked the air from my lungs. I fell to the ground, struggling to break free from the person’s tight grip. Leaves and branches cracked and popped underneath the weight of my body and the struggle.
“Cookie, you have to get away from her,” Charlotte yelled.
I hadn’t seen the face of the person who had attacked me yet. Since Charlotte said “she” I assumed it was Tina. The person was still behind me though, so I couldn’t be sure. Was this Tina? It had to be since no one else would be out here in the woods. I managed to turn enough to see her face. It was Tina. A look of ice-cold fury covered her face. Tina reached down and pulled me to my feet.
“What do you think you’re doing following me like that?” she asked with venom in her voice.
Before I had a chance to answer she swung a huge branch at me. I ducked and managed to miss the impact from her improvised weapon.
“You have to find something to hit her with,” Charlotte said.
“There are branches over here,” Minnie yelled.
I didn’t want to fight with Tina. Though I had to get away from her. Obviously she was crazy.
“I knew you would follow me,” Tina said.
“See, I told you this was a setup,” Charlotte said.
“There is no time for ‘I told you so,’ Charlotte,” I said.
Tina cast a strange look my way and asked, “You just don’t know when to stop, do you?”
“You’ve gotten yourself into a real pickle this time,” Charlotte said with a shake of her head.
“We have to do something,” Minnie said with panic in her voice.
I moved my arms and tried to kick. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted the ghosts. I had no idea what they were doing. It looked as if they were trying to move a branch. Maybe they would distract Tina long enough so that I could get away. Somehow I managed to break free from her hold. She was stronger than I imagined. There wasn’t a chance to get away from her though. In a split second she pulled out a gun and aimed it at me.
“Cookie, she has a gun,” Charlotte yelled.
“Yes, I see that, Charlotte.”
I didn’t even pretend that I wasn’t talking to the ghosts. I even looked over at Charlotte. What was the point if Tina was going to shoot me anyway?
“Oh dear. This doesn’t look good. I’ve failed at my job,” Minnie said.
“Your job?” Charlotte repeated what I was thinking.
“Yes, I’m Cookie’s guardian angel. The whole reason I’m here was to help her. This isn’t helping her.”
“I have a guardian angel?” I asked out loud.
Tina scoffed. “I don’t think you do. There is no angel coming to save you from this situation. You brought this on yourself.”
“I really don’t like this woman,” Charlotte said. “Come on, Minnie, we have to try to move this branch. This is no time to give up.”
Charlotte and Minnie went back to trying to move the branch. Bless their hearts, I really appreciated the attempt, but I knew it was hopeless.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked.
“I told you because you wouldn’t stop trying to find out who killed Tyler
.” Tina aimed the gun directly at me.
Though her hand shook. The only hope I had was that she wasn’t a good aim.
Chapter 24
Charlotte’s Tips for a Fabulous Afterlife
It gives me great satisfaction
when I’ve been proven correct.
That’s why I give advice without being asked for it.
“Why did you kill Tyler?” I asked.
Tina’s face was now twisted with an evil grin. “Because if I can’t have him then no one can.”
“Oh, that’s a healthy way to look at it,” Charlotte said sarcastically.
How was I going to get the gun away from Tina? Could I somehow knock it out of her hand? I’d have to get closer.
“Why did you pretend to be Shanna?” I asked.
“Tyler wasn’t talking to me anymore,” Tina said.
“That’s understandable. I wouldn’t want to talk with you anymore either,” I said.
“You think this is funny?” Tina asked. “I’ll show you just how funny it is.”
“Don’t make her angry, Cookie,” Charlotte said. “What have I done? I’ve created a monster with my sarcastic ways.”
Charlotte was right. I suppose I shouldn’t be sarcastic with the woman who had a gun pointed at me. It was a little too late for that now though.
“You can put this all behind you now, you know? It doesn’t have to end this way,” I said, trying to sound as if Tina was a friend.
I was pretty sure that Tina wasn’t falling for it though. This would end with Tina going to jail if I ever got away from this. Though I didn’t see any hope of that happening. I seriously doubted I would be able to talk her out of killing me.
“Yeah, right. You will tell the police that I killed Tyler.” Her eyes narrowed as her hand shook even more.
How would I answer that? Yes, I would tell the police. I’d be crazy not to tell them. Plus, she probably knew that Dylan was my boyfriend.
“I’m sure if you explained to the police,” I said.
That was a vague answer.
“That never works,” Tina said.
Minnie and Charlotte were still focused on the tree branch.
“You can get a lawyer,” I said.
“That’s not happening,” Tina said. “There is only one way out of this.”
At least if she killed me out here I knew that Dylan would come looking for me. Wait. I was in the woods. How long would it take for him to find me? Heather’s car was parked out there on the road, so that would be helpful. A million terrible thoughts ran through my mind.
To think I came into the woods on purpose. Now all I wanted to do was find my way out of there. Just my luck I’d come face-to-face with Tina. She had the gun and wanted to kill me. She probably figured that killing me was the only way she could keep from going to jail. No doubt when Tyler found out Tina was pretending to be Shanna she felt she had to murder him too.
A cracking sound came from my right. Tina looked over at the branch that Charlotte and Minnie had finally been able to throw. This was my only chance and I had to take it. I lunged forward and tackled Tina, as if we were playing in the Super Bowl. She never knew what hit her. Tina groaned as she hit the ground with a thud. The gun flew from her hand. Another groan escaped her as I jumped up and dashed for the weapon. With a shaky hand I aimed the weapon at her. Her eyes were wide as she stared at me.
“Isn’t she surprised?” Charlotte said with a smirk.
I wasn’t sure what to do now. My legs and arms shook. Everything was spinning around me, and I wondered if I would soon pass out. I needed to call for help. The phone wouldn’t work out here though. Plus, I didn’t want to lower the gun to get my phone from my pocket. If I allowed myself to be distracted at all she would take that opportunity to try to get the gun back from me.
“You can’t stand there with the gun pointed at her all day,” Charlotte said.
“I think she’s regaining her strength,” Minnie said.
“You’re right, Charlotte,” I said.
Tina frowned. “Who’s Charlotte?”
“You’re confusing her. She thinks you’ve lost your marbles. If a crazy woman thinks you’re crazy you really are in trouble,” Charlotte said.
“I’m talking to the ghost that’s here with me. Actually, there are two ghosts. Well, one says she’s my guardian angel.”
“That’s right,” Minnie said with a smile.
“You really are crazy, aren’t you?” Tina said.
“Maybe I am crazy, but I didn’t murder anyone. Now get up,” I said, motioning with the gun.
“Don’t wave that thing around like that,” Charlotte said. “Though you have to use more authority in your voice, Cookie. Let her know you mean business.”
I gestured again. “Move it.”
Tina got up from the ground. If looks could kill I would be a goner.
“Okay, now walk.” I motioned with the gun even though Charlotte had told me not to.
Tina walked toward the road where we’d left the cars parked. I followed along behind her with the gun still aimed at her. I had no idea if I could pull the trigger or not. I hoped it didn’t come down to that. While she wasn’t looking, I pulled the phone from my pocket. It still wasn’t working.
“I doubt you would actually shoot me,” Tina said with smugness in her voice.
“My father taught me how to fire a gun. I have no problem using it,” I said.
“Is that true, Cookie?” Minnie asked.
I shook my head no. Tina didn’t have to know the truth.
“That’s okay. I’m sure you can use it if you have to,” Minnie said.
“Cookie is tough. She’ll figure it out,” Charlotte said.
When we reached the road, Tina looked around.
“Don’t even think about trying to run away,” I said.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Her eyes were icy cold as she stared at me.
Within seconds the sirens sounded in the distance. Thank goodness this would all be over soon.
“Oh, we’re saved,” Charlotte said. “I thought for sure you were finished.”
“I thought you had confidence in me?” I asked.
“No, I just said that so you wouldn’t freak out,” Charlotte said with a wave of her hand.
“You are crazy,” Tina said.
“Yeah, well, crazy attracts crazy,” I said.
Charlotte laughed. “Good one, Cookie.”
Minnie howled with laughter again. “Yes, good one, Cookie.”
I suppose thinking that the police were headed this way made me let my guard down. The gun was relaxed though, still aimed at Tina. I took my eyes off her for a second and she sprinted toward her car.
“Oh, Cookie, she’s getting away,” Charlotte called out.
We all took off running.
“Shoot her,” Charlotte yelled.
“I can’t shoot her for running,” I said between breaths.
I pumped my legs as fast as I could, which sadly wasn’t that fast. Tina opened her car door just as I reached her. I stretched my arm forward and made contact with her shirt.
She yelled. “Get off me.”
Tina swung her arm and tried to hit me, but she missed. Yes, I still had the gun. At this point I was afraid Tina might actually try to get it away from me and use it on me. With all my strength I pushed Tina to the ground and jumped on her. The gun was still in my hand.
“Cookie, this is dangerous. Don’t let her get the gun,” Charlotte said.
Tina was reaching for it, but luckily, I had her pinned down and she couldn’t make contact with the weapon.
“Whew, that was a close call,” Minnie said.
“I can’t handle this stress,” Charlotte said.
I wasn’t sure what to do now. Should I keep her on the ground? Since I hadn’t shot Tina she probably thought I wouldn’t actually use the gun. I totally would if it was life or death.
I grabbed the back of Tina’s shirt. “Okay, on your
feet.”
She climbed up from the ground.
“Place your hands on the car,” I ordered with the gun pointed at her.
“This is just like the movies,” Charlotte said.
“Yes, the movies with sound,” Minnie said. “And in color.”
“You thought you would get away from me, but I proved you wrong,” I said.
“Don’t get too cocky. The police haven’t found you yet,” Charlotte said.
Yes, I suppose I should save the gloating for a bit. What if the police didn’t find me? The sirens could be headed somewhere else. Now what would I do? I couldn’t stand here forever with my gun pointed at her. Eventually she would try to get away again.
“Do you have any plan for how to get her out of here?” Charlotte asked.
I shook my head.
“Oh dear,” Minnie said.
It wasn’t like I could put Tina in the car and drive her to the police station.
“Oh, I know. Make her walk toward the road and you can get service on that annoying contraption you call a telephone,” Minnie said.
“Good idea, Minnie,” I said.
“Leave it to me to be captured by a woman who talks to imaginary people,” Tina said.
“Okay, with your hands in the air, turn around and start walking toward the main road,” I ordered.
Tina didn’t budge.
“You heard me,” I yelled.
Charlotte and Minnie jumped. There was no need to carry out this plan though. Just as we turned around to head down the road I spotted the police cars speeding toward us.
“Thank goodness they made it.” Charlotte sighed.
“I thought they’d never get here,” Minnie said.
I’d kept it together, but my knees shook, as if I would collapse at any moment from the stress of what had happened. The police cars appeared speeding down the road toward us. Dylan’s car was the first one in the line of many. He sped up to the scene and jumped out of the car with his gun drawn.
“You can put the gun down now, Cookie,” Dylan said.
My hand shook as I lowered the weapon. After Dylan placed Tina in handcuffs, he escorted her into the backseat of the car. Maybe I shouldn’t have hugged Dylan in front of the other officers, but I couldn’t help it. I was just so grateful that all of this was over.
