شبی با عروسک زنده 2 فصل 15

Night of the Living Dummy 2 - Chapter 15

“I can’t come over,” I told Margo glumly. I was sprawled on top of my bed, the phone pressed against my ear. “I’m not allowed out of my room all day.” “Huh? Why?” Margo demanded.

I sighed. “If I told you, Margo, you wouldn’t believe me.”

“Try me,” she replied.

I decided not to tell her. I mean, my whole family thought I was crazy. Why should my best friend think it, too?

“Maybe I’ll tell you about it when I see you,” I said.

Silence at the other end.

Then Margo uttered, “Wow.”

“Wow? What does wow mean?” I cried.

“Wow. It must be pretty bad if you can’t talk about it, Amy.” “It—it’s just weird,” I stammered. “Can we change the subject?” Another silence. “Daddy has a birthday party for six-year-olds coming up, Amy. And he wondered—” “No. Sorry,” I broke in quickly. “I put Slappy away.”

“Excuse me?” Margo reacted with surprise.

“I put the dummy away,” I told her. “I’m finished with that. I’m not going to be a ventriloquist anymore.” “But, Amy—” Margo protested. “You loved playing with those dummies. And you said you wanted to make some money, remember? So Daddy—” “No,” I repeated firmly. “I changed my mind, Margo. I’m sorry. Tell your dad I’m sorry. I—I’ll tell you about it when I see you.” I swallowed hard. And added: “If I ever see you.”

“You sound terrible,” Margo replied softly. “Should I come over to your house? I think I could get my dad to drop me off.” “I’m totally grounded,” I said unhappily. “No visitors.” I heard footsteps in the hall. Probably Mom or Dad checking up on me. I wasn’t allowed to be on the phone, either.

“Got to go. Bye, Margo,” I whispered. I hung up the phone.

Mom knocked on my bedroom door. I recognized her knock. “Amy, want to talk?” she called in.

“Not really,” I replied glumly.

“As soon as you tell the truth, you can come out,” Mom said.

“I know,” I muttered.

“Why don’t you just tell the truth now? It’s such a beautiful day,” Mom called in. “Don’t waste the whole day in your room.” “I—I don’t feel like talking now,” I told her.

She didn’t say anything else. But I could hear her standing out there. Finally I heard her footsteps padding back down the hall.

I grabbed my pillow and buried my face in it.

I wanted to shut out the world. And think.

Think. Think. Think.

I wasn’t going to confess to a crime I didn’t do. No way.

I was going to find a way to prove to them that Slappy was the culprit. And I was going to prove to them that I wasn’t crazy.

I had to show them that Slappy wasn’t an ordinary dummy.

He was alive. And he was evil.

But how could I prove it?

I climbed to my feet and began pacing back and forth. I stopped at the window and gazed out at the front yard.

It was a beautiful spring day. Bright yellow tulips bobbed in the flower patch in front of my window. The sky was a solid blue. The twin maple trees in the center of the yard were starting to unfurl fresh leaves.

I took a deep breath. The air smelled so fresh and sweet.

I saw Jed and a couple of his friends. They were Rollerblading down the sidewalk. Laughing. Having a good time.

And I was a prisoner. A prisoner in my room.

All because of Slappy.

I spun away from the window and stared at the closet door. I had shoved Slappy into the back of the closet and shut the door tightly.

I’m going to catch you in the act, Slappy, I decided.

That’s how I’m going to prove I’m not crazy.

I’m going to stay up all night. I’m going to stay up every night. And the first time you creep out of that closet, I’ll be awake. And I’ll follow you.

And I’ll make sure that everyone sees what you are doing.

I’ll make sure that everyone sees that you are the evil one in this house.

I felt so upset. I knew I wasn’t really thinking clearly.

But having a plan made me feel a little better.

Taking one last glance at the closet door, I crossed the room to my desk and started to do my homework.

Mom and Dad let me come out for dinner.

Dad had grilled hamburgers in the backyard, the first barbecue of spring. I loved grilled hamburgers, especially when they’re charred real black. But I could barely taste my food.

I guess I felt too excited and nervous about trapping Slappy.

No one talked much.

Mom kept chattering to Dad about the vegetable garden and what she wanted to plant. Sara talked a little about the mural she had started to paint in her room. Jed kept complaining about how he wrecked his knee Rollerblading.

No one spoke to me. They kept glancing over the table at me. Studying me like I was some kind of zoo animal.

I asked to be excused before dessert.

I usually stay up till ten. But a little after nine, I decided to go to bed.

I was wide awake. Eager to trap Slappy.

I turned out the light and tucked myself in. Then I lay staring up at the shifting shadows on the bedroom ceiling, waiting, waiting… Waiting for Slappy to come creeping out of the closet.

I must have fallen asleep.

I tried not to. But I must have drifted off anyway.

I was startled awake by sounds in the room.

I raised my head, instantly alert. And listened.

The scrape of feet on my carpet. A soft rustling.

A shiver of fear ran down my back. I felt goose-bumps up and down my arms.

Another low sound. So near my bed.

I reached forward quickly. Clicked on the bed table lamp.

And cried out.