They Know Me

HOOKY

Lying in bed, I looked at my alarm clock. Rhys would be over soon so we could leave for school together.

Though I'd slept through the remainder of the night, and had awakened feeling physically fine, I was still steamed at Zil over his prank from the night before. But he'd get his way and Cortland Bridge would be off-limits – temporarily. And since he refused to tell me the secrets of Cortland Bridge, apart from what I already knew about it being haunted, I decided to investigate in a much different way.

The doorbell rang, and was followed by a loud rapping on the door. I got up and went downstairs to open it. Looking surprised, Rhys asked, "Why aren't you ready, or are you going pajama-casual today?"

I squinted and put my hand up, pretending to block the glare of sunshine. "I'm not going. I have a headache."

"Truth?" he asked skeptically.

I lowered my arm. "Lie."

"That's what I thought. So, which is it – Cemetery Raven or Cortland Bridge?"

"The town library."

"You're playing hooky – at the library?"

"Aren't you going to be late for school?"

"I'm not leaving without an explanation."

"Even at the risk of being locked out of class and having to face the principal?"

Rhys' brow creased. "Fine." He started back down the porch steps. "I'll come by later. Be here."

"Wait – directions."

"It's downtown."

"I guessed that. More detail."

"Running late – bye!"

"I'll find it myself, then!" I called after him as he got into his car, revved the engine, and then drove off down the street.

I closed the door and went back upstairs to change clothes. After a fast look at myself in the mirror, I left the house for downtown.

After passing a few side streets, I came to a half-road that curved slightly to the left off of Main Street, and found the one-story, brick building there, tucked away by itself. Hoping to find the information I needed for my research, I walked across the cobblestone parking lot. As I passed some small trees and flowering bushes lining the walkway toward the entrance, I looked to my right and spotted something of interest. Across a narrow street behind the library was ... Wildwood Cemetery.

I paused to gaze at it. Wildwood was small and quaint. I guessed its age to be closer to recent than ancient, like Cemetery Raven. More importantly – it was a place to look for ghosts!

But there would be time later to return and take a look around inside of it. I continued up to the library entrance. Just as I reached it, the lock clicked and the door opened. A middle-aged woman was there. Smiling warmly, she stepped aside, an invitation to enter. "Good morning. Is this a new trend? I don't think I've ever seen anyone here this early."

Hopeful that her kindness meant she'd be more helpful than the school librarian, I said, "I'm here to do some research."

"What do you need help with?"

"Information on Cortland Bridge."

"Follow me."

She led me to the back stacks to one that easily stood apart from the rest just by the odd collection of hard-backed books that filled its shelves: piracy, ancient religion, the paranormal, including some old volumes whose titles hinted at not being light reading, with a high probability of being sinister – and the history of Mannix.