Somewhere In-Between ~ An Adventure in the Afterlife

CHAPTER 24 - THE AMHERST PARANORMAL SOCIETY

Carl was ready at the bus stop Monday morning before Lizzie even got there. Lizzie was glad it was still dark that morning so she could talk with Carl off to the side without anyone really noticing. Max strolled along with her, having promised to behave himself at school this time.

"So," Carl was just as excited as if no time had passed since their last meeting. "Have you given my proposal any thought? Oh! Hey! Look!" He took his backpack off and took out a folded booklet. "I made it over the weekend!"

"Oh, great, show and tell," Max taunted.

Lizzie ignored Max's comment and took the booklet from Carl's hand, gazing at the cover. The initials A.P.S. were large at the top of the cover, and underneath was written: Amherst Paranormal Society. In the center of the cover was a simple drawing of a cartoon ghost with a word bubble beside it, saying "BOO!" Underneath the drawing, was written, A record of paranormal activity in the heart of a small town. By Carl Christian and Lizzie Boggs.

"You worked all weekend on this, Carl?" Lizzie squinted. "Nice ghost."

"Yeah, cool, right?"

"This is kinda weird, though, Carl, don't you think? I mean... what kind of 'society' do we really have with just two people? Not that I want to recruit new members."

"Well, technically we have three people, Lizzie. We have Max, too, remember? He's part of the team. I just thought it would be weird to mention him in the credits."

Max stared in shock to hear his name mentioned as part of the team.

"True," Lizzie nodded. "I don't know about this, though, Carl. I'm used to being on my own. I'm not much of a club member."

They heard the bus approaching, and Carl tucked the booklet back into his backpack. "I think you'll come around," he said. "I know deep down you're just as happy as I am about finally finding someone you don't have to hide from." He looked up at Lizzie and smiled. "It's nice to finally have a friend."

Lizzie blushed. Until this moment she wasn't sure she could really trust Carl, but it took a lot of faith and trust for him to actually come right out and call her a friend. She never met anyone at school who treated her with such acceptance. Was it possible she actually found a person at school she could fully trust?

The bus rolled up, and Lizzie smiled at him. "Come sit with me on the bus, okay, Carl? I'd love to take a look through your booklet some more."

Max decided to give Lizzie her space at school. She was ignoring him again, anyway. Besides, as soon as they arrived at school, Dave and his gang approached Max. "You're not allowed here, anymore, Spencer." Dave blocked his way, sidled by Goth girl, Carol, and the punk kid, Steve.

"Who died and made you Principal, Dave?" Max smirked.

Dave's sidekicks snickered at Max's remark and Dave turned to sneer at them. They shut up immediately.

Dave turned slowly back to Max. "You seriously don't want to mess with me, squirt."

Max paused to think up a clever remark. "That's right, Dave. 'Cause you're messed up enough."

The sidekicks squirmed, trying to hold in their laughter. Dave noticed and glared at them again. He turned, taking a step toward Max. His dark figure loomed over him with clenched teeth. "I'm warning you, kid..."

"No, Dave. I'm warning you."

Dave smirked. "Oh, really?"

"That's right."

"I have plenty of power on my side, kid," Dave leaned forward. "So you'd better think twice about crossing me."

"What power is that, Dave?" Max leaned forward to challenge. "All I've seen you do is leach off the living."