Puppet

by Ed Kightlinger

  “Wow! No wonder Robert and Puppet are ticked off,” James says. “The Molly lady being the sister of Sorrie, the vice chairman of whatever you said, is the proof we need that our school vice principal possibly also is involved.”

  Colette says, “There we have it. Not only are Robert, Puppet, and Sorrie related, they are ticked off at us for investigating the school cafeteria food fight and a subsequent fistfight. Furthermore, and I believe this to be very important. They are angry with the entire town because someone murdered Puppet’s wife, Sorrie’s sister, and Robert’s mother!” She scratches her head thoughtfully. “Then again, how Cheaply is involved, and I for one believe that he is, is unknown, at least at this time.”

  Brenae says excitedly, “Wait. There is more. It says here in a follow-up article dated April 15, 1952, and I quote, ‘The Claymore Sheriff’s Department has arrested a suspect in the murder of Molly Gertrude pUPA. Molly was murdered in her home three days ago on April 12. The police have not identified the suspect, but he reportedly is a resident of Claymore township. The sheriff’s department spokesman refused to provide additional information. We will continue following up on leads. We will provide more information when it becomes available.’”

  Brenae suddenly shouts, “Wait for a second! There even is more! This article is dated June 14, 1952. It is very short. It says, ‘George Lincoln Marvella, arrested on April 15 of this year for the alleged murder of Molly Gertrude pUPA on April 12, was released from the Buford County Jail today. According to the District Attorney, Clyde Cheaply, there was inadequate evidence to hold Marvella any longer. Investigation of pUPA’s murder continues.’”

  Brenae glances around the circle. “Goodness! What I just read is terrific news! Now, we have concrete proof of a connection to the Marvella’s, Cheaply, Sorrie, Robert, and Puppet.” She chuckles. “How delightfully confusing is all of this?”

  “Is there anything else?” Chloe asks. What she doesn’t say is what she is thinking. How ironic is this? Space cowboy’s name was George Lincoln! Is it a coincidence or something else entirely?

  “Unfortunately, there is nothing more to offer,” Brenae replies solemnly. “Nothing that I can find right now. Maybe if all six of us google the Molly lady’s name, we will be able to find more information.” She looks at Chloe. “Are you okay, Champ? I am sorry that you had to learn this nasty stuff in this manner.”

  Once again, Chloe seems surprised with Brenae calling her by her nickname Champ, especially in front of the others.

  “I am good, Bre. Nonetheless, I do not want to go home. Can I stay at your house tonight?”

  “Certainly,” Brenae replies. “My parents love you. They will be pleased if you stay the night. What about your parents? Will they say it is okay if you have a sleepover?”

  “They better,” Chloe replies sadly, “because I need some time to think this through. Additionally, they will not be surprised when I tell them what the Gazette article says.”

  “Why is that?” James asks. “Why won’t they be surprised that a murder occurred in the attic of your house?”

  Chloe replies in a nearly inaudible whisper, “Because all of us have seen the red stain on the chimney of the attic. We have joked about it as well. My brother and I always say that a bird or squirrel must have gotten caught in the chimney. We thought that is what caused the blood stain. Now, we know differently.” She buries her head in the palms of her hands once more.

  “It is horrible! It is sickening! I always knew that something haunted the attic! That is why I religiously lock the door that leads up to the attic before I go to sleep. The attic door is in my bedroom!” She looks up and glances around the circle. “The attic staircase has thirteen stairs! Can you believe that? What is more, I always hear whispering voices when I am in the attic! Now, I know what caused the red stain on the chimney. I now know why I sometimes can hear whispering voices, and I can feel the slightest, weirdest breeze floating through the attic. Someone murdered that Molly lady in my attic and her presence is still there!”

  *****

  Part II: Let’s Huddle

  After a few moments, Chloe calms down. She quickly returns to the business at hand. She smiles at Brenae. “Nice work, Bre.” Brenae mouths a silent thank you.

  Chloe says, “We know why Puppet and Robert are angry. They’re angry because of Molly’s murder. Why they have waited this long to display their anger, we do not know. It isn’t important. We also know that Robert, Puppet, Sorrie, and Cheaply are working together. To what extent they’re cooperating, we do not know. Do all of you agree with my assumptions?” The others say that they agree.

  Diana Jane declares, “In my opinion, Robert is in charge of the others. It makes perfect sense to me. Robert has outwardly revealed hostility in two cases, to Brenae in her vision and Jay for real. Assuming the high-pitched voice and angry words sensed by Sophia and Chloe belong to Robert, that furthers my suspicions of his hostile intent. Added to that is the craziness at the mansion, mainly as it involves the woman’s screams.

  “Mister Sorrie has been a nonplayer from an antagonistic standpoint, at least up to this point. As far as we know, Puppet is a nonplayer from a hostile perspective as well. The most the idiot has done is hand out coils of his stupid twine. Hence, we have had no proof to date that Puppet and Sorrie have been aggressive toward others.

  “Now, Mister Cheaply is another story. He has shown aggression to Chloe,” she glances around the circle, “and, if you think about it, to everyone at Claymore High. He threatened to quit his sponsorship of our extracurricular programs if Chloe didn’t stop the investigation.”

  Chloe moans, and then she says in a sarcastic tone, “Yeah, like I could have stopped the investigation even if I had wanted to.”

  James says, “Diana Jane, I think all of what you said is spot on. All I wanted to do was talk to Robert, to confirm he was Spaghetti Kid. Then the jerk pulls a knife on me, and the next thing I knew I was spinning like a top. Soon afterward, I woke up in the hospital.”

  Sophia has been typing on her phone. Without looking up, she says casually, “As Diana Jane mentioned earlier, we must not forget about the fatalities and injuries that occurred while Robert casually walked on the sidewalk next to Grider Street. His being there on Grider Street when everything happened is too coincidental for us to dismiss as pure chance.” She looks at Diana Jane. “Therefore, I offer that the incidents that occurred on Grider Street as further proof of Diana Jane’s hypothesis. Robert is in charge.”

  Colette says, “Even if Robert is not in charge, everything hostile that has happened to date has come from him,” she glances around the circle, “that is, everything hostile that has come to our attention!”

  Chloe says, “You make a good point, Minstrel, and I agree. I likewise agree with what you said about everything hostile, ‘that has come to our attention.’ There may be other things from a hostility perspective that we are not aware of at this time.’”

  Brenae says in a sarcastic tone, “Yeah, like lots of behind the scenes stuff such as these nightmarish visions we are experiencing and what happened at the White Mansion. Also, there is—"

  Sophia interrupts Brenae when she suddenly blurts out, “You will not believe this!” She looks at Brenae and says she is sorry for interrupting. “There is something very weird about what I see here! Tell me if you agree.”

  Brenae says, “What is it?”

  Sophia says, “What it involves is Sorrie’s title as Vice Chairman of the Western American Academy of Sleep Methodology! As the name implies, the academy focused on treating sleep disorders. The academy also dealt with other things such as hypnosis and treatment of brain and personality illnesses. There has to be some correlation here to everything weird that is happening.” She turns off her phone and stuffs it into her back pocket. “I’ll be darned if I know what it is.”

  Chloe waves her hands high in the air to get everyone’s attention. She says excitedly, “I also googled the academy. There is an article
from Wikipedia that is very interesting. All of it is making sense now!” She slowly spells out the acronym for the academy.

  "V-C-W-A-A-S-M is the abbreviation for the Vice Chairman of the Western American Academy of Sleep Methodology. Mister Sorrie was the vice chairman of the academy back in 1952. The Gazette mentioned the academy and Sorrie in the first article read by Bre. It was the one that talked about Molly’s murder.” She looks at her teammates one at a time.

  “Could it be possible? Could it be a coincidence? Is some magic being employed here? are we nothing more than pawns in a chilling, deadly game of puppety chess?”

  “I do not follow you,” Diana Jane says.

  Chloe spells out the letters of the acronym once more. “V-C-W-A-A-S-M.” She looks around the circle. “Except for the letter W, the rest of the letters are the first letters of each of our nicknames: ventriloquist, champ, actress, accountant, skater, and minstrel in that order. We aren’t together by accident! Someone or something has destined us to be the Sextet! It is too coincidental not to be true!”

  “You may be correct,” Brenae shouts. “If you are correct,” she suddenly shivers, “we may be in a world of hurt. What you are saying is scarily coincidental! It is like something predestined us to be together!” Brenae makes a face. “What is more, I think someone or something is toying with us. Everything that has happened may be nothing more than a game, a sick form of entertainment for a diseased mind. To think I said that I did not believe in magic!”

  Diana Jane says, “Similarly, as Chloe had said, which is exceptionally scary, the six of us may be nothing more than pawns in a chilling, deadly game of puppety chess!”

  “Let us dwell on that a bit,” Chloe says. Her tone of voice is calm, reassuring. “Let us take a minute to digest what we know and allow it to sink into our minds.”

  Sophia says, “We need to figure out if the letter W in Sorrie’s title, Western, has anything to do with us, or if it is insignificant like the words of and the in his title.”

  “Getting back to our fun pal, Robert,” James says. “I concur with you, Sophia, when you mentioned the injuries and five fatalities on Grider Street while Robert was walking the street. Something tells me Robert was more troubled than angry, at least at first. Unfortunately, I continued to goad him on. It is just something I felt in my gut.” He reaches into the middle of the circle and extinguishes the lantern’s flame.

  Colette says, “Chloe, where do you propose we go from here? Any suggestions?”

  Chloe replies, “I think we have done enough damage for today. I move that we adjourn to our homework assignments.” She rolls her eyes and frowns. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I have enough homework to keep me going until midnight. If all of you agree, I propose that we meet here tomorrow after school around noon. Anthony’s memorial is tomorrow, so we can pretty much guarantee that Missus Davenhill will dismiss school shortly after that. All in favor?” The others nod their heads.

  Chloe says, “Awesome! As usual, I will send a group text message confirming the time.”

  Brenae says to Chloe, “Do you still need to ask your parents’ permission to stay overnight at my place?”

  Chloe replies, “I already texted them, and they told me I could have a sleepover at your house. My parents have been very understanding as of late since I have been working on this investigation.” She laughs. “Maybe I should ask my parents for an increase in my allowance. After all, they have been very kindhearted lately.”

  “Good luck on getting an increase of your allowance,” Brenae replies. “I asked my parents for an increase, and they said no, unless, of course, I agree to do more chores.” She chuckles, and then she says lightheartedly, “The jury is still out on that aspect of their proposal.”

  Just as the Sextet members gather their bookbags and other belongings, Sophia whispers, “Did you hear that?” The others nod their heads.

  James exclaims in a whisper, “Everyone, shush! Come with me behind that huge pile of sawdust or whatever in the heck it is. Whatever you do, stay together! No straggling.”

  Sophia suddenly screams as she points to the rafters. “There is someone up there in the rafters just above the door! I thought I got a glimpse of someone moving up there!”

  James grabs Sophia by the forearm as he searches the rafters. He whispers, “What in the world are you talking about, Accountant? Nobody is up there.”

  Sophia forcefully shakes her head. She is staring at James. She says, “I am positive I detected movement up there, Jay.” She glances at the others. They are staring at her. “Didn’t any of you see what I saw?” No one replies.

  Brenae suddenly whispers, “Why is it so dark in here?” She takes her cellphone out of her back pocket. “It is only a bit past five o’clock. The sun doesn’t set for at least another hour.” It is then Brenae notices that the double doors on both ends of the warehouse have closed. “Who closed the doors? I am certain none of us closed them! We have been together all this time! What in the world is going on here?”

  A strange, deep voice of an unseen male suddenly calls out, “Because I made it happen, Brenae!” His frightening words ricochet within the abyss of the empty warehouse comparable to diminishing echoes of a yawning mountain valley.

  “Who is that?” Sophia shouts. “Knock it off and show yourself! You are not funny!”

  Diana Jane points to the double-door entranceway on the south side of the warehouse. She whispers, “He is over there, see? However, his voice came from over there.” She points to the north side of the warehouse.

  The others slowly turn around in small circles.

  James whispers, “Everyone, move behind me. Sophia, I want you to my left. With a bit of luck, the two of us can take him out if he gets any closer.” He shouts at the unseen owner of the voice, “I don’t know who you are or what you want, but you better not come any closer. There are six of us and only one of you!”

  Colette whispers, “Oh, my God! Look over there.” She directs the others’ attention to the north side of the warehouse. “There are so many of them. There must be dozens. What are we going to do?”

  James says, “We stick together, Colette. We stick together no matter what happens.”

  Diana Jane says to James in a trembling voice, “You can see them too, yes? I was afraid it was my imagination running wild yet again.”

  “Yes,” James replies, “unfortunately I can see them as well.”

  Diana Jane says, “Can you see them, Bre? Sophia? Chloe? Can you see them as well?”

  The three girls reply in one voice, “Yes, I can.”

  “Who do you think they are?” Brenae asks. “Are they puppets or are they real people?” Before anyone can opine his or her best guess, the voice calls out yet again.

  “We are the descendants of our creator’s past. We have come to claim our sister, Chloe. Yes, Chloe, it is time for you to join us! This time you will not escape.”

  Chloe whispers in a fearful tone, “Oh, no, not again! Why in tarnation is it always me that has to join them?”

  Sophia screams, “You will not hurt Chloe or anyone else. I dare you to come closer!”

  James whispers, “Don’t provoke them, Sophia. There are too many of them. We cannot fight them all. We have to figure out something else.”

  Diana Jane whispers, “Look! There are more gathering behind the man that just threatened Chloe. Lots more!”

  “Who are you?” Brenae demands. “What do you want with Chloe?” The instant she says this, the group on the north side starts to move slowly toward the Sextet.

  Colette cries, “They’re moving!” She spins around. “The others are moving too! They are going to surround us!”

  James stares at the rafters. Then he yells, “Knock it off. We know you are not real. You are nothing more than a figment of our imaginations, a cruel joke.”

  Chloe whispers, “How is it possible, Jay? All of us are seeing them. It is real, Jay. It is real!”

  Brenae suddenly
whispers, “Sextet, let’s huddle. Let’s huddle now!”

  “What in the world are you talking about?” Colette asks. “What in the world is a huddle?”

  James ignores Colette’s question as he says, “Let’s do as Bre suggests. We need a plan. Colette, give me your right hand. The rest of you join hands as well. Let’s make a circle and get in close. Together we can solve this.”

  As she grabs James’ hand, Colette says, “Oh, I get it. A huddle is a forum like the offensive players do before each offensive play in American football. I assume we’re going on the offensive?”

  “Yes, we are,” Chloe replies adamantly. “We are going to attack the suckers!”

  Once everyone is holding hands and leaning in close, Brenae says, “Okay, as your magical genius, I think that what we are seeing must be real because all of us are seeing it at the same time. Therefore, unlike what we experienced at the mansion, this time it is different. Nevertheless, I think that what we are seeing is nothing more than sophisticated three-dimensional garbage.” She squeezes Chloe’s hand.

  “Chloe, you are our fearless Sextet leader. Give us your thoughts. How are we going to go on the offensive, to attack these idiots? Be quick about it.” She looks over her shoulder. “They are getting closer by the second!”

  Chloe says in a confident tone. “I agree with Bre. Whatever it is we are facing has to be a technological mirage. This is what I propose. The Accountant, Minstrel, and I will rush whatever they are that are behind me. We should focus our attention on the idiot that threatened me. He looks real enough. Sophia, you are the most lethal of the Sextet. It is time for you to live up to your reputation as the Accountant. If you can, take out whoever it is that is talking. Do your thing, take him out, make him pay for his cruelty.

  “The Skater, Ventriloquist, and Actress will rush the other group. Jay, you’re a guy, who is not only handsome but one super-strong dude with unmatched athleticism. You take out whoever it is, if there is anything real at all, on your side.”