Page 4 of Dark Shadows
She yanked free.
Officer John’s face darkened, his eyes narrowing to angry slits as he realized she wasn't backing down.
“Get your brat out of here,” Officer John sneered, his face changing from fake-nice to mean in an instant.
“I’m not lying!” She shouted this time. “He lied when he told them they would see their mommy again! He has her locket in his pocket.”
For a second, everyone in the room froze.
Officer John’s face twisted in anger. Then he lunged.
The boss stepped in fast, blocking him with one arm. Chairs scraped back. A few people shouted.
Overhead, the lights flickered wildly.
Emily and the ghost boy appeared on either side of Savanah, pale and glowing. Their sudden presence sent a cold shiver racing down her spine.
“Empty your pockets, John,” the boss said, his voice hard and steady.
“You believe this crazy kid?” His eyes darted around the room like a cornered animal.
“Prove her wrong,” the boss demanded.
“Get a warrant. I have rights just like the scum we arrest.”
“You’re in uniform. Department policy and the handbook you signed when we hired you give us the right to search you and your possessions while in uniform.”
Two officers grabbed John. One reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold locket. Tiny rusty-red specks dotted the swirls in the metal, like dried marker stains.
The room fell completely silent.
“Cuff him and take him into interrogation,” the boss ordered then turned to Savanah. “How did you know?”
“Emily told me. She says Molly is still alive.”
The boss paled. “Molly?”
“Your daughter. She never made it to school. Officer John picked her up, saying you wanted to see her.” Savanah's stomach did a flip-flop as she realized why Emily was trying so hard tohelp. This wasn't just any little girl the ghost was talking about; it was the boss's daughter.
The room turned ice-cold as Emily’s ghost-hand settled on Savanah’s shoulder. “She’s in the blue shed by the old canoes. Emily says you need to hurry. Molly is scared and cold.”
The boss looked at her father. “Don, take Savanah home. Now.”
“Of course.”
“The rest of you, with me.”
As her father led her out, Emily smiled and waved before dissolving like steam from hot chocolate.
In the car, her father’s eyes found hers in the mirror. They held disappointment, but something else too, a tiny bit of pride he couldn’t hide.
“What did I tell you about the ghosts?” he growled.
“Oh no,” her mother moaned, glancing at Savanah in the backseat. “Not again.”
“I’m sorry,” Savanah whispered, tears welling up. “But Emily needed help, and Molly was still alive.”
They found Molly an hour later, exactly where Savanah said she’d be. A month after that, her daddy got a raise, and the boss became his best friend.
