Remembering Kaylee Cooper

SERIAL STORY Chapter 9: Do You Believe?

The stor y so far: After Maddy shares her eerie encounter at the house on Screaming Ridge, word begins to spread quickly around the school. Alex begins to question if there is a connection between Maddy’s story and Kaylee Cooper.

Nov. 27, 2014, 10:37 a.m. “What did you think of Maddy’s crazy story?” asked Henry as the two walked to their lockers. There was a buzz about the house quickly spreading around the junior wing. It was the latest gossip and it was important for the students to pass it on. It was like a rite of passage. If you heard something cool, you were not allowed to keep it to yourself. There were no secrets in the sixth grade. It’s just too difficult to hide.

“What did I think of the story? What did you think of the story?” Alex turned to Henry, hoping to hear his response first. Alex’s mind was in a fog. He was still trying to digest everything. It was very overwhelming.

“I think it was a cool story, but clearly not real. There’s no way that happened.”

Alex was surprised to hear Henry say that. Ever since Alex had his near death experience several weeks back, he had begun believing there was something else out there. He wasn’t sure if he believed in ghosts, but he believed there was something outside of the living world. Alex just didn’t know how to describe it.

“What do you mean it’s not real?” squeaked Alex. “Didn’t you hear her? Didn’t you see her? It sounded pretty real to me. Besides, she saw the cat. The same cat I saw that night.”

Henry tilted his head and glanced down at Alex. His face clearly suggested Alex was talking nonsense.

“How do you even know it was the same cat? There are loads of stray cats roaming around here, you know that.” Henry pulled out his lunch bag and shut the locker door. “Are you coming?”

Alex wasn’t ready to just end the conversation. He wasn’t expecting Henry to be so negative. There were just so many questions. Alex quickly pulled his lunch bag from his locker and followed Henry down the hall toward the cafeteria. Through the rush of children bounding in all directions, Alex spotted Kaylee standing by the water fountain. Her tiny frame appeared so fragile as her eyes scanned the students walking up and down the hall. While Alex approached her, he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. Perhaps she wasn’t as crazy as he initially thought. Maybe she knew something. Maybe she too had seen the woman from Screaming Ridge Road.

“Hi Alex,” sang Kaylee with a big wave and smile. Her enthusiasm and energy beamed from her face. She stood on her tip toes and danced a few steps toward Alex.

“Hi Kaylee,” replied Alex. He turned briefly to Henry to see if he too would stop.

“I guess I’ll see you in there,” smiled Henry as he continued up the hall towards the cafeteria. Somehow Alex didn’t seem to care anymore.

“OK,” replied Alex, returning the smile.

Alex crouched down to Kaylee’s eye level. He hadn’t really looked her in the eyes before, but felt it important as he really wanted to talk to her. For the first time, he didn’t want her to go away.

“Kaylee?” Alex began. “I have a question I’d like to ask you. Do you remember when you told me that I will one day be friends with a ghost?”

Kaylee’s eyes widened with excitement. For the first time, she was getting the attention she had always wanted.

“Yes,” she replied. Her voice was shaky.

“Kaylee, do you know the woman who lives …” Alex corrected himself. “…I mean lived on Screaming Ridge Road?”

Kaylee’s f ace froze as her pupils glazed over. Her cheeks which joyfully held up her smile began to lower. Her heels fell flat on to the tiled floor. The bounce and energy she possessed just moments ago, was suddenly gone.

“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t,” replied Kaylee finally. She crossed her arms and breathed deeply.

Alex’s face folded. He stood back up and sighed. “Then who is the ghost I’m going to be friends with?”

Kaylee’s shoulders dropped as her head sunk down. Alex stood in front of her, in the empty hallway, and waited. He waited because he felt Kaylee knew something. He was certain.

Alex tried again. “Who is the ghost you seem to believe I’m going to make friends with?”

A tear began rolling down the side of Kaylee’s cheek. She blinked and quickly wiped her face with her hand. “Come on Amber, Alex isn’t as smart as I thought.”

Kaylee held out her hand as if to hold on to someone else’s and began marching down the hallway. She didn’t look back, not once. She stormed around the corner towards the backdoor, and disappeared out of sight.

Alex was left alone in the hall. His mind continued to race as it filled with jumbled up thoughts. Deflated, Alex sluggishly turned toward the cafeteria doors, and began walking. As he dragged his feet along the floor, he thought about Kaylee’s last words. He had momentarily forgotten that Kaylee was just a little girl. “She’s like six,” laughed Alex to himself. He lifted his head and smiled.

As he continued down the hall, Madelyn Mayfeather suddenly popped back into his head. Somehow her story seemed a little more believable. He wasn’t quite sure why. Was it because Kaylee’s wild imagination and far-fetched stories made Madelyn seem that much more legit? Regardless, Alex couldn’t help but feel a curiosity take over him.

Alex entered the cafeteria and confidently walked down the steps. He looked for Henry who was usually sitting with Daisy by one of the big windows in the back corner. Alex felt good inside. He felt like he had let go of a knot that was tied very tightly inside of him. He could finally focus on his friend Henry, and finally start getting to know Daisy. He had spent way too long being distracted by a ridiculous little girl. It was time to be Alex Thomas again. He took a deep breath, smiled to himself and walked towards Henry and Daisy.

However, as he approached their table, something very strange happened.

Chapter 10 appears Friday.