The Common Acceptance - A Goosebumps Fanfiction {Completed}

Episode Nine - Part Four

The courtroom erupted with gasps. Stine and Slappy were the only ones who did not gasp.

The judge gave him a confused look and leaned forward. "Pardon me?" she questioned. "What did you say?"

Stine looked up at her. "I asked her why she set Shelly up."

"That is what I thought that you said." She leaned back and rested her chin in her hands. "And why...would you ask such a question?"

"I have my reason to believe that Mary-Ellen could have - and might have - set up my client."

"Objection!" the prosecutor exclaimed as he got up from his chair.

The judge shook her head. "Objection overruled! Usually, I would deny this kind of request, but in this case, I am a bit intrigued."

Mary-Ellen glanced up at her. "Do I have to answer the question?"

"I say that you do. And do not lie because you took an oath before you came in my courtroom. Besides, you would not worry about answering that question if you did not do it."

"Of course not." Mary-Ellen turned back to Stine. "I would do no such thing. I have changed for the better. For Slappy and for my child. I had nothing to do with this. I only wish for Shelly to receive the help that she so desperately needs."

Stine pushed up his glasses again. "If you say so. But it is strange. Shelly became 'crazy' as soon as you returned to Slappy and his life. She was just fine then."

She shrugged. "People are different. Shelly was bound to go crazy sooner or later."

Slappy quietly stood up and handed Hannah the baby.

"Then how do you explain this?!" Slappy exclaimed angrily as he grabbed Wally's backpack that on the floor and next to Wally and opened it. Then he pulled out what Mary-Ellen did not want anybody in the room to see.

It was the drink.