SHOUTOUTS\ANSWERS
Heather: Yay! Another reviewer! No sweat. I'm just glad to have more than one reviewer.
DISCLAIMER
Life With Derek belongs to Disney. Supernatural belongs to the WB.
Casey wasn't sure how long she had been sitting on the ground. She barely heard the bell when it rang.
"Casey?" a voice queried. She didn't respond.
"Hey! Klutzilla!" At this, Casey looked up.
"Derek," she said softly.
"Have---have you been crying all this time?" he asked in surprise. His stepsister didn't answer, but averted her face.
"Well, come on. It's time to go," Derek said. Casey blew out a breath and let him help her up. Is she okay? Does it have anything to do with that weird nightmare? he wondered. Casey followed Derek out to the car. As they drove off, Nora glanced at Casey.
"Rough day, Sweetie?" she asked sympathetically.
"Ask him. He's the one who made fun of me for dreaming of Ricky," Casey snapped, glaring at Derek.
"Derek?" Nora queried.
"I...may have made a comment," Derek responded.
"Derek, really," Nora said reproachfully.
"What?" Derek protested. His stepmother didn't say a word and the rest of the ride was driven in silence. When they got home, Casey yanked off her seatbelt and stomped into the house.
"Casey?" George asked in surprise.
"Daddy, will you check my room?" six-year old Marti Venturi queried.
"What for, Marti?" George asked.
"Those strange noises I told you about---under my bed," Marti reminded her father.
"Oh, Marti, not again," George groaned, putting his head in his hands. "There is nothing in your room," he continued.
"But I hear these growling noises!" Marti protested.
"Smarti, you've probably just been having some bad dreams," Derek said.
"Wait a minute. Let me get this straight: Marti's been complaining of a monster under her bed and you just blow her off? How stupid are you guys?" Casey asked.
"Casey," Nora scolded.
"I don't believe you. Are you trying to get her killed?" Casey continued.
"Hey, back off," Derek snapped.
"Mom, where's the key to the black trunk?" Casey questioned, ignoring her stepbrother.
"In the study," Nora replied.
"Thank you," Casey said, heading for the room.
"Can you believe her?" Derek questioned.
"She does have a good point," Nora mused.
"What?" George queried. From the study, there came a loud bang. Everyone but Nora and Lizzie jumped. A few minutes later, Casey came out with a gun and a knife.
"WHOA!" Derek exclaimed.
"Casey, where did you get those?" George questioned.
"From the trunk," Casey answered matter-of-factly.
"Hand them over," George instructed.
"Sorry, George. Can't," Casey responded. "Marti, honey, you sleep with Lizzie tonight, all right?" she continued.
"Okay," Marti nodded. "Are you going to get the monster?" she asked.
"Oh, you bet I am, sweetie," Casey promised. With that, she went to her room, where she loaded the gun and then proceeded to sharpen her knife.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Yeah, I know this chapter's kinda stupid, but I'm settin' up for somethin'. Please bear with me.