Free The Slender Man by Dexter Morgenstern Page B

must have lost it,” she says. I chuckle a bit as I think
about what I saw. “It might have been a snake. I honestly didn't look at it
hard enough to tell,” I say without thinking. Did I really see the fiend at the
top of the hill with that tree?
    No. I laugh again. I saw the tree, that's what spooked me. I
let out a small breath.
    “Well if it was a snake, it probably took off just as fast
as you did-in the other direction,” she says.
    “Yeah, sorry. Did I hurt your car?” I ask. I look and can't
see any apparent damage.
    She brushes the hood as if to knock dust off before shaking
her head.
    “No it looks fine. Say, I just came from your house. I
invited your brother to Lionel's birthday party next week. You're welcome to
come too. I think Lionel feels bad about how he cried in front of you at the
funeral.
    “Oh um, sure I'll try and make it.” If I'm not grounded, I
leave out.
     “Oh great, he'll love to see you! Anyway I have to head
out, try not to run into any more cars,” she says before turning to get back
inside.
    “Alright I'll try,” I say
with a small smile. Damn tree.

 
8: The Disappearance
     
     
     
     
     
    The ride to Shana's house isn't as happy as I hoped it would
be. Dad is barely letting me come today. I don't think he's as mad about the
fact that I cheated on the essay as he is about how it makes him look. How would
me not bringing one in look? How about that huh? I'm not going to forgive Ms.
Alder any time soon. Maybe what I did is wrong, but it's not her business to go
out of her way to prove it. It's just a grade.
    I'm grounded over the weekend, which normally would be okay
with me, seeing as I don't leave the house much anyway, but that means I won't
get to see Shana then. The only reason I'm even allowed to go today is because
my Mom thinks it's a good idea to be forgiving on the Sabbath.
    Adam and Bubbe would have come, but Adam is still sick, and
we think it's best she watch over him while we're out. This time Adam sleeps in
her room so he won't go on any random trips during the night. When we get to
the Hawthorn's, the house is as glum as I feel. Dad greets them with a bright
smile and a “Shabbat Shalom,” but something is keeping the Hawthorn's from
rejoicing- besides Denise's death.
    We get inside and see Shana sitting upon a couch, not even
looking up at us. Did she get in trouble about the essays too? No Dad said none
of us should mention it to them because it would cause unnecessary trouble, and
if the teacher or principal called they wouldn't answer the phone, so they
wouldn’t know from the school either. I walk over to Shana and attempt to hug
her, but it takes her a while to figure out what I was doing, and then she only
feebly reaches up and hugs back.
    “I'm sorry, I tried to come earlier but,” I start, but she
isn't making eye contact. It's as if she's hardly aware that I'm here. “Is she
on any medication?” I ask Mr. Hawthorn. He sighs.
    “None that would do this. It's Denise, she keeps mumbling
her name. I think maybe she blames herself and it's setting in. We are taking
her to see a doctor after the shivah,” he explains.
    “Well why not now? She's, it’s like she's catatonic,” I
protest.
    “Now Alyssa, this is none of your business. You let them
handle Shana and we'll handle you,” says Dad. I grind my teeth together. Shana
needs help now, and she might not be this way if I’d arrived this afternoon.
    “We should get dinner set,” says Mom. She and Mrs. Hawthorn
head down into the kitchen. Mr. Hawthorn goes back after them. Dad starts to go
in.
    “Come on,” he demands.
    “We shouldn't leave her alone,” I say, taking her hand and
trying to draw a response from her.
    “Now, Alyssa,” he demands again. Every time he snaps at me
my mind flashes to Ms. Alder. I want to slap her, probably just as Dad wants to
slap me. I get up and pull on Shana's hand. Slowly, she begins to rise up. She
gets on her feet and slowly turns her head in my