a spirit was attached to those diaries because of certain… paranormal events that had occurred after receiving them. However, I was thinking that the spirit attached to the diaries was my Great-Grandma Gloria. She… died violently sixty years ago, and she was the last one who had owned those diaries before me.”
“What kind of paranormal events?” Allen asked.
Ellen thought for a second before sharing, “Okay, well, recently I met an eight-year-old autistic boy named Spencer. Although he’s capable of speaking, he doesn’t. He does draw though… constantly.” Ellen gestured as she continued with, “Everett had met him when I did, and the day we met him, he wrote out a cryptic message for me from Eleanor. He then handed me that message while verbally telling me how to decipher it. He then—as if a switch was flipped—reverted back to his autistic self and retook his place at his drawing pad.”
“It was eerie,” Everett added.
Robin turned towards Andie before genuinely saying, “I’m sorry, sis, for not believing you. Can you forgive me?”
Andie nodded with a pleasant grin.
When Andie didn’t verbally respond, Everett questioned, “Andie will be taken off the medication now, right?”
“I would love to say ‘yes’, but my parents…” Robin gestured towards Andie before continuing, “Our parents won’t believe that Andie is seeing ghosts no matter what proof we take to them.”
“That medication might be causing her harm though,” Everett pointed out.
“I do feel… bad when I’m on it,” Andie shared.
“Andie, you will have to prove to your parents that you’re getting better,” Jessica said.
“And how is she supposed to do that?” Everett asked.
“Andie will have to pretend not to be able to see the ghosts,” Jessica replied.
“I tried that before,” Andie said shyly. “The ghosts won’t leave me alone though and it’s hard to ignore them.”
“Everett, perhaps your mom could help to get Andie off of her medication,” Ellen suggested.
Everett shrugged before saying, “We could ask.”
“How could your mom help?” Robin asked.
“She’s a third shift supervising nurse in the psychiatric ward at the hospital,” Everett shared. “So she might know of a way to get Andie off of that medication.”
“Until then, moving on to a more pleasant topic,” Karla prompted.
“One more thing before we do,” Ellen announced. “Andie. Robin. I’ll need you guys’ phone number, so I can get in contact with you. I’ll even exchange it for my number.”
Andie slightly grinned as Robin nodded while saying,” Alright.”
Ellen and Robin then exchanged phone numbers. Once Robin had Ellen’s phone number, he rejoined his girlfriend Maria on the other side of the room.
Chapter Two
Andie had remained with Ellen’s group, and as the evening progressed, Ellen would ask Andie things to get to know her, and to get her involved in the conversation.
During their conversation, Ellen learned that Andie and Robin attended a private school. Ellen also learned that Andie and Robin’s parents were both research doctors for a local facility.
Everett saw in Ellen’s eyes that Ellen wasn’t happy when Andie shared that test animals were being used at the research facility. Ellen took a calming breath before saying, “I’ll keep that little tidbit away from my uncle.”
Ellen saw a confused look on Andie’s face as Karla asked, “Your uncle would have a problem with animals being used for research?”
“Mmm,” Ellen let out with an agreeing grin. “In fact, over twenty years ago, he was an animal rights activist. About twenty years ago, he went to prison for several years for breaking into a lab, releasing the animals and assaulting police and security officers.”
“And how much do you take after your uncle?” Everett questioned in a slightly worried tone.
Ellen amusingly grinned before shrugging and saying, “I don’t know, but I won’t be breaking into labs and releasing lab animals… or anything worse. In fact, the only thing that I would do is sign a petition if one comes my way.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” Everett told her with a grin.
Ellen nodded with a grin before continuing on with a different topic.
Across town, Winona—instead of being out hunting vampires—was at a local hospital while waiting patiently for her Great Aunt Bonnie’s test results. She, Riley and Brad had been waiting in the waiting room for over two hours after they had rushed Bonnie to the hospital with severe chest pains.
Ellen and her group stayed at the party until 10:00 P.M. Allen was the one who drove his group to the party, and he was the one who was to drive everyone home.
Ellen got out with Everett in front of Everett’s house and then assured Allen that she will find her own way home after she speaks with Everett’s mom.
Karla was in the front passenger seat while Jessica and Simon were in the backseats, and as Allen drove away, Ellen and Everett entered Everett’s house.
Everett’s dad was in the living room while watching the late night news when Ellen and Everett entered the room.
“Hi, Mr. Delaney,” Ellen said when he looked her way.
Lance glanced at his watch before saying, “Ellen, I thought that you were going straight home after the party.”
“I have a question for Mrs. Delaney,” Ellen explained. “She hasn’t left for work yet, has she?”
“She’s preparing for work now,” Lance said as Everett’s ten-year-old sister—while wearing pajamas—stepped into the room.
When everyone turned to look, Megan waved while saying, “Hey, Ellen.”
“Hey, Megan,” Ellen replied. “How much candy did you get trick-or-treating?”
“Lots…” Megan was only able to get out.
“Megan, you’re supposed to be in bed,” Lance pointed out. “You… all of you, in fact, do have school tomorrow.”
“I wanted to say ‘hi’ to Ellen,” Megan said. “And now I’m going back to bed.”
“Goodnight,” Ellen said before Megan could step away.
“Goodnight,” Megan echoed followed by Lance and Everett.
Before Megan could leave the room, Kristen stepped
