Walk in My Haunted Shoes

by Rose Pressey

  “Do you see that woman over there?” April motioned with a tilt of her head.

  I peered over her shoulder. I spotted several women across the library.

  “Which one?” I asked.

  “The one in the red sweater,” she whispered.

  I scanned the room again and spotted a dark-haired woman in a red sweater. It just so happened she was looking over at us at that moment, as if somehow, she knew we were talking about her. What had she been up to? She looked away quickly when she realized I was watching her.

  “What did she do?” I asked. “Is she damaging books?”

  “No, nothing like that. It’s just she was acting strange. She was talking to herself. Almost as if she was chanting.”

  My eyes widened. “That is odd. Maybe I should go talk to her.”

  “I think you should, but just be careful, I don’t know what she’s up to. She gives me the creeps.”

  “I promise I’ll be careful,” I said.

  I was sure this was nothing and there was probably a logical explanation for what April had witnessed. Nevertheless, I stepped out from behind the reference desk and made my way across the library. The woman had disappeared around one of the stacks, so I changed directions and headed that way. When I located her, I found her standing in front of the shelves. She pulled a book from a shelf. She hadn’t noticed that I was headed her way. At least if she did, she didn’t acknowledge me.

  I wasn’t sure if I should say anything right away or wait and see if she really was chanting. She still hadn’t looked my way. I moved closer, pretending as if I was looking at the books.

  “You want to speak with me, don’t you?” she asked without looking at me.

  Was I that obvious?

  I turned to face her. “Is there anything I can help you find?”

  A few seconds later, she placed the book she’d been looking at back on the shelf and turned toward me. “I’m just browsing, I suppose.”

  I studied her face. Something told me she was here for much more than that. I glanced over, trying to figure out which book she’d been reading. I couldn’t make out exactly which one, so I’d have to check later. Not so surprisingly we were in the paranormal section.

  “Actually, I’m not just browsing. I guess you know that I’m here for a reason,” she said.

  “Well, I don’t know. Are you here for a reason other than to check out a book?”

  “I came to see you,” she said.

  Anxiety spiked through me. Why was she here to see me?

  “Do I know you?” I asked.

  I hoped this had something to do with books. Considering we were in the paranormal section I wasn’t quite sure. I probably wouldn’t like where this was headed.

  “I’m not from Devil’s Moon,” she said.

  “Oh, you’re not?” I asked.

  She shook her head. “And I’m not here just to get a book.”

  “Okay, what can I help you with?” This was making me anxious.

  “My name’s Roxanne Warwick. My friend was killed in Devil’s Moon the other day and I’m trying to get answers. No one seems willing to help me.”

  “And how can I help you?” I asked. “I’m just the librarian.”

  “Well, I heard through the grapevine that you talk to ghosts.”

  I looked around as if the person who had told her about this might be standing right behind us. It was no secret in town that I was involved with the paranormal. “Yes, I’ve been known to see a ghost or two. I do the haunted tour here in town. Who’s your friend?”

  “She was hit by a car. It was no accident.”

  Oh, my gosh. I couldn’t believe I was talking to this woman after the ghost had followed me around and then appeared in my house. Anxiety and uneasiness immediately hit me.

  “We always said if something happened to one of us that the dead one would come back and speak with the living one.”

  “You saw your friend’s ghost?” I asked.

  Chapter 15

  “Yes, I saw Haley’s ghost. She came to my bedroom and sat right on the edge of the bed. This was before I even knew she had been killed. At first, I thought maybe I was dreaming, but then the phone rang. That was the call to tell me she had been killed. Her ghost disappeared after that. But I knew she wanted me to figure this out. She was hit, but it was no accident.”

  “How do you know that?” I asked.

  “She went with some strange guy who she barely knew. She was involved in some stuff that was not good. Like conjuring demons and stuff. I thought her life was in danger and then she came up dead.”

  “Do you have any way to prove that?” I asked.

  “Sadly, no. That’s why I need help. I have to prove that this wasn’t an accident.”

  “That might not be easy,” I said.

  “I know it won’t be easy, but I have to try.” She stared at me.

  Did she want to say more? What did she want me to do? I hoped she wasn’t going to ask me to do a séance. I’d had enough of those to know it was a bad idea. I’d have to tell her no.

  “I was hoping that you could help me,” Roxanne said.

  I’d known this was coming.

  “Like I said, I’m just a librarian.”

  “Oh, but you’re so much more than that,” she said.

  “How do you know that?” I asked.

  “People told me that you talk to ghosts, so I know that you could talk to my friend and find out what exactly happened to her.” She stared at me with her big brown eyes.

  “I don’t even think I’m psychic or anything. I can’t get ghosts to talk to me any time I want.” I glanced over my shoulder to see if anyone was listening.

  “Any communication is better than none,” she said.

  I had to tell her that I had already talked to her friend. Well, at least experienced her friend.

  “I suppose there’s something else I should tell you,” I said.

  “What’s that?” she asked.

  I released a deep breath, and then said, “I think your friend’s already been to see me.”

  “I knew it,” she said somewhat loudly.

  People around us looked as if they wanted us to be quiet. I was the one who was supposed to tell people to be quiet.

  “What happened? When did this happen? I want to know everything,” she said. “Sorry, I’m being too excited.”

  “That’s okay,” I said. “I understand how you must feel.”

  I thought about how I’d feel if I lost Tammy. A sinking feeling settled in my stomach at the thought.

  “Maybe we should have a seat over there,” I said, gesturing toward one of the tables.

  She nodded and hurried over to the table, dashing around me and taking a seat at the table. Tapping her fingers against the table, she impatiently waited for me to step over and sit across from her.

  “Okay, I want to hear everything,” she said, leaning forward in her chair.

  I preceded to tell her exactly what had happened.

  “So that’s the last time I saw her,” I said.

  “And she never told you anything about the accident?” she asked.

  “No, but I mean this is probably all shocking to her, and she’s trying to navigate between these two worlds. I have no way of knowing what’s going on with her. She may never be able to say anything.”

  “But she could possibly have a message for us?”

  “Yes, it’s possible.”

  She tapped her fingers against the table. “I think we should have a séance.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that,” I said.

  “Why not? It’s the easiest way to talk to her. Look, I’m going to do it with or without you.”

  Now I was duty-bound to help her. If she did this on her own there was no telling what she would allow to come through. The pleading look from her big brown eyes really got to me too. And I kept thinking about how I would feel if this was my best friend, so I had to agree.

  “Okay, we’ll do th
is, but on my terms. I don’t want anything getting out of hand,” I said.

  “Absolutely. Whatever you say,” she said.

  “After I finish my tour tonight, we’ll do it. Do you have any idea why she would have come to see me? Had she planned on taking the tour?”

  “I have no idea,” she said.

  I had my doubts that this would work, but the sad look on her face made me agree. Brannon probably wouldn’t be happy about it, but if he got a load of that sad look he’d probably agree too.

  “I’ll give you my number and as soon as I finish the tour we’ll get together,” I said.

  “Thank you.” She nodded.

  I’d need someone else to do this with us. Tammy didn’t like that kind of stuff, although she would agree because she was just that kind of best friend. I could probably get my mom to do it, although I hated to put her in any kind of situation like this.

  Roxanne walked with me over to the reference desk and I jotted down my number.

  I handed her the paper. “Call me around eight o’clock. That’s when I usually finish the tour. If I don’t answer I’ll call you right back, okay?”

  “I can’t thank you enough for this,” she said, taking the paper.

  Of course, April was eyeing us suspiciously. I still hadn’t gotten an answer about the chanting. That was rather odd, but Roxanne seemed so nice that I couldn’t believe that it was anything sinister.

  “By the way, this probably sounds crazy, but one of the librarians thought she heard you chanting,” I said.

  “Chanting? Oh, no.” Roxanne laughed. “I guess I was just talking to myself and it sounded like chanting.”

  I suppose that was a logical explanation. It made more sense than why she’d be chanting in a library.

  “Of course,” I said with a smile.

  “Sorry, I guess I forgot I shouldn’t talk in the library,” Roxanne.

  “No worries,” I said. “I’ll talk to you tonight.”

  As Roxanne was walking out the door, Tammy walked in. Maybe I wouldn’t ask Tammy to be a part of the séance just yet. She seemed to be in a good mood. Though I had to find someone before tonight.

  “What did she say?” April asked as she walked up to the counter.

  “What did who say?” Tammy said.

  “The girl who was just leaving,” I said. “I had a discussion with her about her friend who was killed in Devil’s Moon.”

  Tammy’s eyes widened. “Oh? It was her friend?”

  “Yes, and Roxanne is trying to figure out what happened. She doesn’t think it was an accident.”

  “Did you find out why she was acting weird?” April asked.

  “No, but I imagine she’s quite stressed right now,” I said.

  April raised an eyebrow. “Well, she was acting strange. Just be careful around her.” April walked away, still shaking her head over my interaction with Roxanne.

  “What was that all about?” Tammy asked.

  “April’s suspicious of the woman.”

  “And you’re not?” Tammy asked.

  “I think she seems okay,” I said.

  “If you say so, but just be careful,” Tammy warned.

  “You know me, always careful.”

  “Right. Always careful.” She chuckled as she walked away.

  I told Tammy I wasn’t suspicious of Roxanne, but I was mildly curious. What book had she been reading? Had she really been talking to herself or chanting? I headed back to the Occult and Metaphysical section. I knew exactly the spot where Roxanne had returned the book she’d been perusing.

  When I got a good look at the book’s spine, a chill ran down mine. That was the exact book that I found in the middle of my bedroom floor. What were the odds of that? That had to be some kind of message, right? But what was that message? Now I had to ask Roxanne about this book.

  The title of the book was Ghosts: Living with them. Of course, I had my own copy of that book for obvious reasons. Had the ghost of her friend left the book in my room and then telepathically led her friend to that book too? Yes, that had to be it.

  ***

  It was the end of the day now and it was time for me to head for the tour. I still hadn’t asked Tammy to do the séance tonight, but I was going to have to soon. Tammy and I were going to walk over to the tavern together. I’d collect the flashlights and then head on over to the cemetery. I’d have to ask Tammy while we walked. I unlocked the cabinet under the reference desk to grab my bag, but it wasn’t there. That was odd. I specifically remembered putting it there this morning.

  “Have you seen my purse?” I asked.

  Tammy stood beside me. “It’s not in there?”

  “No, it’s gone.” I pointed.

  “That’s impossible,” she said. “Are you sure you left it there?”

  “I’m almost sure,” I said.

  “Maybe you left it in your office.” Tammy practically stuck her whole head in the cabinet to look.

  I couldn’t remember putting my purse in my office, but I supposed it was possible. I had a tendency to become a bit scattered when I was stressed.

  “I’ll go back and look,” I said, rushing down the hallway.

  In my mind, I was convinced that it wouldn’t be there. And sure enough, when I got in there, I looked everywhere and there was no sign of my bag. Someone had taken my purse. How long had it been missing? How would I get into my house? I’d have to cancel credit cards. Get a new driver’s license. I’d need a new rewards card for the coffee shop.

  We had cameras in the library. I had to check and see who had taken my bag. Maybe I’d get it back. I sat at my desk and opened up the camera screen on my computer. I rewound until I came to the time when I’d placed my purse inside the cabinet. On the screen was the image of me stuffing the bag under the reference desk. I knew I’d put it there. I’d have to look through all this footage to find the thief. However, I needed to leave for the tour soon. Maybe I’d just have to look at the footage later. Now I wasn’t sure what to do.

  A knock came at the door. Tammy opened the door and waved my bag through the air.

  “My bag! Where did you find it?” I rushed over to her.

  “A woman found it outside on the sidewalk,” Tammy said.

  I took the bag from her hand. “What? That’s crazy. How in the world did it end up there? And furthermore, why would it be there?"

  Tammy shook her head. “I have no idea. Your guess is as good as mine. Did you check the camera yet?”

  “I haven’t looked through all of it. It could take a while. I thought I’d wait, but now I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.” I said.

  “Is anything missing?” Tammy asked.

  I walked over to my desk and placed the bag on top. “Let me check. It’s not like I had a lot of cash to take.”

  I pulled out the contents of my bag. Nothing seemed to be missing. Not even my wallet and the twenty bucks inside. The credit cards and driver’s license were still there too.

  “That is bizarre,” Tammy said. “Maybe they planned to steal it and then chickened out.”

  “I guess so,” I said.

  As I placed the items back in my purse, I noticed one thing missing.

  “The extra key to my house is gone,” I said.

  Tammy frowned. “What?”

  I showed her the keys. “I had an extra key. I’d planned on hiding it somewhere in case I ever got locked out. I just never got around to it.”

  “Okay, that’s a little scary. How did they know what the key was for?” Tammy asked.

  “That’s what I’d like to find out,” I said.

  “You should definitely tell Brannon about this.”

  “I should change the locks on my house.”

  Tammy pointed. “Yes, that too.”

  “I guess I have just a few minutes to spare to look at the video,” I said.

  Tammy and I moved over to the computer and I started the footage. I tried to fast forward to speed things up a bit. Though I didn�
��t want to miss anything. We watched as patrons moved around the library.

  “Do you think I walk funny?” Tammy asked.

  I glanced at her. “What? Of course not. Look how graceful you are.”

  She scoffed. “I look like a baby giraffe wearing high heels.”

  I laughed. “That’s not true.”

  “What. Look at that.” She pointed at the screen.

  I turned my attention back to the computer. Someone was messing around at the reference desk. The person took my bag from under the counter. They paused, looking around as if trying to see if anyone noticed. Yet the camera angle didn’t capture their face.

  “I guess I didn’t lock that door after all,” I said.

  “Sometimes it gets stuck. We have to get that fixed,” Tammy said.

  The problem though was the person wore a hoodie and kept their back toward the camera, keeping their identity concealed.

  “I’ll switch to the other angle,” I said.

  “I can’t believe they had the nerve to do that,” Tammy said.

  “Some people will do a lot of awful things. If they’d steal like that with people watching, then I doubt they’d hesitate to kill someone. Like perhaps hitting them with a car,” I said.

  Tammy’s eyes widened. “Do you think that’s the killer?”

  “Yes, I do,” I said matter-of-factly. “And I think the killer might be coming for me next.”

  “Oh, I don’t even want to hear it.” Tammy covered her ears.

  I checked the other angle, but unfortunately, the person was able to keep their head turned the entire time.

  “That person is really smooth. He slipped right in here without being caught,” Tammy said.

  “He got the key and then dumped my purse. That was all he was looking for,” I said.

  I pulled out my phone. “I’ll tell Brannon now. Then I’ll have my dad go over and change the locks. He has a key.”

  “Apparently a lot of people have a key to your place now,” Tammy said around a sigh.

  That thought sent a shiver down my spine. The only reason this person wanted a key was to get into my house and do something horrible to me, right? What other reason could there be? Brannon wanted a copy of the video so they could review it and possibly find the person. Though stealing a key wasn’t exactly a felony. The nefarious intentions were evident though. Brannon also reminded me that “Spare key to my house” was written on the key. Oops. I’d forgotten about that. Not a wise decision on my part.