Not Worth It
Chapter 9
An Invitation
Since Merope got her new wand, she spent every spare moment practicing with it. She even forgot about trying to woo Tom Riddle. She no longer stood on the lane waiting for him or attempt to sneak a peek at him. Merope was behind her house practicing the severing charm on the trees' branches. After a few tries she was able to cut right through the limb. When she was on her fourth tree, she heard a voice from the front of her house.
"Merope, are you home?"
Merope gasped. She had completely forgotten that Kevin was coming to cut the trees for her! What was she going to say? She shoved her wand into her pocket while rushing to the front to meet him.
"What are you doing out here?" he said.
He came up closer and saw the pile of wood. He frowned. "You didn't start without me, did you? Merope, I can chop all these trees down for you."
"It was just the branches," she said. "You can get the rest."
"All right then," he said. "How'd you manage to cut these branches anyway? I thought you didn't own an ax?"
She gasped. Her family didn't own many muggle tools. Since they were a magical family, her father insisted that they use only their wands. Mofin or her father would cut the wood with their wands since she could barely scratch the surface of the wood with her mother's wand. When Merope had suggested she use an ax or saw, her father gave her a beating. They never allowed her to cut the wood, not just because she could not use her wand, but wood choppign was a "man's job." Her father eventually did not care if Merope a muggle tool because he got tired of her pitiful attempts to "women's work."
Merope was quiet, unable to respond. She wished she was smart so she could think of a story. Merope wasn't good at coming up with stories, or lies. She either denied the truth or try to change the subject. She didn't want to lie to Kevin but she didn't want to tell him the truth either. She decided to change the subject.
"Oh, you must be thirsty!" Merope pushed Kevin toward the house. "Let me get you a lemon drink."
"All right, thank you," he mumbled.
"How's your mother? Your family?"
"They're good, good," he said. "You're still having supper with us tonight? My mother is cooking lamb."
Again, Merope forgot about it. "Oh, right. Today is Friday, isn't it?" She grabbed the pitcher of lemonade and poured him a glass.
"Yes, perhaps we should get you a calender, or a schedule," Kevin said. "To remind, you, eh?"
"I've got one," she answered. Merope scratched her head. Has it really been three days since she gotten her wand? It was all a blur. She was so excited to have a wand that actually worked. She had spent so much time she had lost track of things, even trying to talk to Tom Riddle.
"And don't forget, supper with us on Sunday too," he said.
"Really?"
"Yes, my mother makes a big supper every Sunday," he told her. "She insists that you come. You can come to church with us too if you want."
"Church?" Merope mumbled. Her family was never religious. All they believed in was magic and their pureblood status. She would feel so awkward walking into the chapel. "No, thank you. Some other time maybe."
"It's okay, just as long as you have supper with us, every Sunday." He took another drink and noticed Marada's empy tank near the fireplace.
"What's this for?" he said. "I didn't know you have a pet."
"I have a snake," Merope answered.
"Are you serious?"
Merope nodded. "Yes, Marada's good company. She's out hunting."
"Marada—wasn't that your mother's name?" he inquired.
"Yes. I wasn't sure what else to name her," Merope admitted.
"Well, I'd best get to work." He handed her his glass and walked to the wagon to grab his wood cutting tools. Merope came with him, because she didn't know what else to do."You know, Merope, you have plenty of trees here to provide wood for a shed and a fence. I can build them for you."
"You don't..." Merope began.
"It's no trouble," he said.
Merope assisted Kevin in chopping wood for the next six hours. She placed a log on the stump for him to chop and then placed them against the house. Every so often she would bring him something to drink or eat.
They cleared down the four trees that she got started on and then Kevin began using the wood to build a wood shed. She handed him the nails and other tools for him so he could continue hammering. He put a finish on the shed to protect it from the rain. Then they began filling the shed with firewood.
"Not much now," he said after setting the last chopped log inside. "But I'll be back on Monday to cut more for you."
He took out a handkerchief and dabbed his sweaty forehead, with much good it did to the rest of his body. There was a ring of sweat around the neck of his shirt and under arms. Merope wondered if he was about to remove his shirt, like some men did when they were working hard. Kevin didn't and she both relieved and disappointed at the same time.
"I suppose that's enough for on day, isn't it?" he said. "Ready to go?"
"Er, all right," she said. She locked her house, helped him load the wagon and they headed off. When they got there, his mother told him to take a shower, even though he was already on his way to take one. Merope stood awkwardly in the entry way. His mother was finishing up the dinner and his father was sitting in the sitting room with the newspaper. He set it down to talk to Merope.
"Hello Merope, come sit down" he said. "I hope Kevin did a good enough job chopping wood for you," he said.
"Yes sir," she said.
"My wife told me that your father believes someone has killed your mother?" the constable said, picking up a notepad to record notes.
Merope nodded.
"Did he say who did it?"
Merope shook his head. "He found her body."
"Did you see her body? Seen any thing that might have caused her death?"
Meroep closed her eyes, trying to remember that night. It was a horrible night indeed. Dark, stormy. Marvolo came in with her in his arms. Morfin wanted to fidn the culprit and kill him. Marvolo told him he needed to bury her. Merope screamed when she saw her mother's head covered in blood. Her clothes were soaked.
"Her head," Merope said, opening her eyes. "It looked like something had hit her in the head. And she was all wet."
"Blunt object to the head," Constable Hale muttered, shaking his head as he scribbled it down. " Possible drowning."
"Yes, sir," Merope said.
The constable focused on her locket. "Wait, your mother used to wear that, right?"
Merope touched her locket. "Yes, my father gave it to me after he found her."
"It looks like it's real gold," he said. "May I look at it?"
Merope pulled the chain over her head and handed it to him. "It's been in my family for generations."
Constable Hale examined the locket and then tried to open it. "Hmm, it doesn't open. Must be stuck. However, it's still strange that if some bandit attacked your mother didn't take the locket with him. I'm sure it's worth thousands."
"I've never thought of that," Merope admitted as he handed the locket back. Why would someone kill her mother but not take the locket? Were theyr eally after her, maybe the whole Gaunt family? Maybe they didn't know it was real gold or maybe they didn't have time to get it. Merope shivered.
"Merope," said the constable and Merope flinched. "Tell me, has anyone been giving you trouble since your father and brother went away?"
Merope shook her head. "No more than usual, sir."
"What do you mean?"
Merope thought back. "Well, someone tripped me in the pub when I went to meet my friend from London. A few people said some things, but it's nothing."
"Nothing?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, other than that, no one's bothered me," she said. "But I've been home mostly."
"So nobody's been to your house making threats or anything? No vandalism?"
She shook her head.
The constable eased up. "Well that's good news. Be sure to tell me if anyone gives you trouble. Some people might take advantage of the fact that you're alone now, given the way your father and brother were."
"But I never harmed anyone," Merope insisted.
"I know that," he said sadly. "But there are some folks that would would still probably harm you because of your father. He had a gambling problem, and a lot of people accused him for cheating. Perhaps someone he lost to may have killed your mother, but I never thought anyone in this village would be capable of murder. Yet desperate people would do anything." The constable groaned. "I've spoken to a few people, but I'll keep digging."
Merope didn't understand why the constable was telling her this. People stayed clear of their cottage. Why would they try to come near it, even if her brother and father were gone? Did she really have a reason to fear the people of the village, when her mother had once helped so many of them? Maybe her killer was still out there, waiting to kill off the rest of the Gaunts.
"Lora!" called Mrs. Hale. "Come set the table!"
"I'm doing my homework!" returned an irritated girl's voice.
Mrs. Hale opened her mouth to shout again but the constable interrupted. "She failed her history test again. I told her to study until dinner was ready."
"Oh, how is that supposed to happen when the table isn't set?"
"Kevin'll do it."
"He's in the shower still!"
"I—I'll do it," Merope volunteered.
"You're our guest," said Mrs. Hale.
"I don't mind," Merope said.
Mrs. Hale sighed. "All right, but Kevin's doing the dishes."
After Mrs. Hale pointed out the cupboard for the dishes, Merope the needed dishes in front each chair at the table. By the time she was finished, Kevin came down.
"Merope, why're you doing that?" he said. "That's my sister's job."
"She's doing her homework," said his parents.
"Really?" he said. "Because it sounded like she was talking on the phone when I was passing her room."
"Lora, get off the phone!" exclaimed Mrs. Hale.
Kevin chuckled and with his arms folded he leaned toward Merope. "My sister's going through this phase where she thinks she can do everything she wants. If she seems rude to you, pay her no mind. She can be really nice, when she wants to be."
Mrs. Hale put the food on the table and she only had to call Lora down twice in one minute for her to finally come down to dinner. She was a fifteen year old girl with black long hair wearing a scowl and school uniform with her shirt untucked. She didn't utter a greeting to Merope. The parents sat at the ends of the table, Merope between Mrs. Hale and Kevin. Lora sat across them between her parents, glaring at her plate. After they said grace, the family began to dig in.
"Lora, if you aren't going to do your homework, then do your house chores," her mother chided.
Lora rolled her eyes. "I was!"
"You call your history text book Patricia?" teased her brother with a wink.
"You were spying on me?" gasped Lora. "Kevin!"
"Just heard you as I was waking my way downstairs," said Kevin.
"School has only been in session for a month, and already you're failing all your classes and getting in trouble," Constable Hale said.
"Sorry about this," Kevin whispered in Merope's ear. "My sister's been in a lot of trouble lately."
"School's just started, Dad," said Lora. "I'll be better soon."
"Sure, by the time you understand it," said Kevin, "school will be out for the summer!"
"Thanks, Kevin," groaned Lora. "My teachers are just boring...I like photography. I don't understand why I need this stuff."
"Your grades were bad last year too," said Mrs. Hale. "I told you if we don't see any improvement this year we'll send you to London's School For Girls."
"I don't want to go to school with a bunch of stuck up snobs!"
"You've certainly been acting like one," said the constable. "You'll learn some real discipline there."
"Please don't send me there!" begged Lora.
"Yeah, Cecelia Roberts went there didn't she?" said Kevin. "Look how she turned out. Anyway, Lora doesn't need to go there. I know exactly what the problem is."
"Y-you do?" said the three Hales, including Merope.
"Of course I do, it's simple actually," Kevin grinned and if he was sitting next to his sister, he would have surely elbowed her. "She fancies a boy!"
"A boy, who?" demanded their father. "All the more reason for her to go to an all girl's school!"
Lora's mouth fell open and she as red as red could be. She couldn't utter a single word.
"Is that true, Lora?" asked Mrs. Hale. "If there is a boy you have your eye on, you should tell us."
"No!" Lora said. "Of course not! What are we doing discussing this right now, in front of her!"
She waved her fork in Merope's direction. "Don't talk about my personal life while we have company!"
Mr. and Mrs. Hale looked at Merope. "Oh, sorry you had to see that, Merope. Teenagers."
"I remember how boring some of the teachers were. I'll help you with your homework, all right, Lora?" Kevin offered.
"Fine," she said. "So, Kevin—Are you planing on taking Merope to Tom Riddle's birthday party?"
"Party?" Merope whispered. She looked at Kevin, who was giving his sister a "Why did you have to bring that up?" look.
"He didn't tell you?" Lora sat up. "He got a invitation earlier this week and he's aloud to bring a 'date.' It's tomorrow, but it's not too late if you want to go."
"I don't want to go to Tom's party and I'm sure Merope doesn't either," Kevin said, piling food into his mouth.
"You've always been to his parties," said his mother.
As Kevin argued with his sister and his parents about the party, Merope daydreamed of what it would be like to be inside the Riddle manor wearing the most beautiful gown and talking to Tom Riddle. All her fantasies could come true tomorrow.
"I want to go," Merope said quickly.
The Hales looked at her. Kevin looked surprised. His sister looked smug.
"Are you sure, Merope?" said Kevin. "His parties are pretty dull."
Merope nodded. "I just want to see what it looks like inside."
"You're going to need a gown," said Lora. "You've got one, right?"
"Well, no," Merope frowned.
"Oh, too bad, maybe you can't go after all." Lora grinned and continued eating.
"I think I've got one I can lend you," Mrs. Hale said. "I've got to search my closet. Is he having a color scheme this year?"
"Oh I hope not," Kevin groaned. "Remember the black and white party? Everyone looked like a penguin."
"Where's that invitation?" Mrs. Hale stood up and filed through some papers on the table. Kevin rubbed his forehead when she sat back down with a small, thick paper that resembled parchment. The letters were embossed in red. "Well, doesn't say anything about there being a color scheme this year."
"Thank goodness," said Kevin.
"But the invitation's in red," said Mrs. Hale sat it down so others could see. "Maybe you should wear red."
"A red suit? Mother, please."
"A red tie is enough," said Mr. Hale. "I've got one."
"Merope, why don't you come over tomorrow and I'll get you ready?" said Mrs. Hale.
Merope nodded.
"Excellent. Come around three. The party is supposed to be at five. It'll be so much fun, won't it?"
"Ask her after the party is over, Mother," Kevin said, returning to his dinner.
Throughout the dinner, Merope watched how the Hales interacted. It was so different compared to how she ate with her family. She had to serve her brother and father first and couldn't eat until they were filled up, leaving her to eat their scraps. Kevin lightly teased his sister and but he also offered to help her. Morfin was nothing like him. He would humiliate Merope to no end and never lifted a finger to help her in anything. Mr. Hale was a good, honest hard-working man unlike her father. Mrs. Hale was kind and unlike her mother, still alive. Though Lora was a little rough around the edges, Merope liked her. She was a strong girl and wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Merope wished she could be like her.
Merope wished that she had grown up in the Hales household instead of the Gaunts. This had to be what it was like to live in a normal household. Without realizing it, tears started to fall down her cheeks. Mrs. Hale paused from taking her last bite and leaned forward.
"Merope? Are you all right dear?"
"What'd you do, Kevin?" Lora asked. "You're such a gentleman!"
"Nothing!" he turned to Merope. "Why are you crying? Did we upset you?"
"Oh," Merope pulled up her hands to face and felt the tears. She didn't understand why she was crying. She only cried when she was scared or sad. She was having dinner with a nice family. Why in the world would she cry about that? Was it because her family wasn't at all like them, and she yearned for such a family? Could she be just so content with the Hales that she was crying tears of happiness?
"I—I don't know," Merope shook her head and dabbed her eyes.
"You want me to take you home?" Kevin stood up.
"No!" Merope nearly shouted, shocking Kevin. "Sorry. I'd like to stay."
"It's probably my cooking," Mrs. Hale said.
"It's good, really," said Merope.
"I know, it's so good that it brings tears to your eyes, doesn't it?" Mrs. Hale smiled, patting Merope's hand.
"Er, yes," said Merope.
Following supper they had apple crumble for dessert. Since she didn't set the table or do her homework like she was supposed to, Lora did the dishes as punishment. Merope offered to help twice but Mrs. Hale wouldn't let her.
"It's getting late. I'll take you home," said Kevin suddenly, taking Merope by the hand and leading her out the house.
"Ohhh," said Mrs. Hale with a grin. "If you wanted some alone time with Merope, why didn't you just say so, Kevin?"
"Mother!" gasped Kevin as his sister shouted the same word, dropping a plate and breaking it in the process.
"Thanks for dinner!" Merope called out just as Kevin shut the door.
Kevin was still red in the face when they got in the wagon. He apologized for his family's antics and asked her why she was crying during dinner.
"You did nothing wrong," said Merope. "I guess..."
Kevin looked at her and Merope couldn't respond. She couldn't go into detail about her family's history.
"I miss my mother."
"I see," said Kevin. "Listen, Merope, are you sure you want to come to Tom Riddle's party? The Riddle's are the most rude people in the village. They might not welcome you."
"I really want to go," said Merope. "I-," when she looked at Kevin she felt a pang in her chest. He was looking at her the same way her father had been when Morfin had told him about Tom. If she told him that she was in love with him, he might just push her off the wagon and never want to see her again. Did the whole village hate Tom Riddle?
"I've never been to a party."
"Yes you have," Kevin said rather harshly. "You've been to mine. I can't believe you've forgotten."
Merope stared at him. He looked a little hurt. If they were really friends like he said they were, why couldn't she remember?
"I can't believe I've forgotten either," said Merope sadly. "I can't remember much of anything before my mother died. I've tried and tried but I can't. It's like...my memory's been modified!"
Merope covered her face with her hands and began to sob.
"Merope!"
Kevin stopped his mule and turned to her. "Don't cry." He wasn't sure what she meant by a modified memory, but didn't say anything about it. He put his arms around her and before she realized it, she was being held in the arms of the muggle man she was friends with as a child. She gasped in shock and almost pulled away. If any man was going to hold her like this, it would be Tom. But she remained still when she found how comfortable it was. It helped console her. She remembered how strong he looked when he was swinging the ax as he was chopping the wood for her. As she cried in his arms, he seemed so gentle. It confused her. How could someone so strong could be also be so gentle?
Kevin sighed and sat back. She almost felt a little disappointed.
"I guess I'm partly to blame," said Kevin. "I never went to see you after your mother passed away. I was just too afraid of your father and brother. I couldn't say anything to you when you were in town either. You were with your father most of the time. If I wasn't such a coward..."
"You were right to stay away," Merope said. "Morfin cursed every muggle that came by our house."
"What? Cursed? Muggle?"
"Morfin—he hurt every person that came by our house," Merope said quickly.
"Is 'muggle' one of the words in that made up language of his?" Kevin asked.
Merope nodded and Kevin took the reigns again, clicking his tongue to get his mule moving. "Yeah, I've seen some of the people that were unfortunate enough to cross his path. Some were covered in boils, others had goo coming of their noses. My father had his hands full trying to get it all sorted out."
"Well no matter, they're gone now right?" his voice was chipper.
"Not for long," Merope sighed. "Father will return in March."
"That soon?" said Kevin, his voice faltering. "What about Morfin?"
"Three years."
"Why couldn't they put your father away for the same amount of time?"
"Morfin's crimes were more serious," Merope exclaimed. "The ministry was only after my brother, for hurting people in the village. But my father tried to stop them, and he hurt them, so t hey sent them to Azka—prison too."
"The ministry was here? I didn't know that."
"They try to keep it quiet," said Merope.
"I guess we'll have to make the most of it until they get back, won't we?" said Kevin.
"Yes, I've got a plan," said Merope. "I'll runaway from Little Hangleton before my father returns."
"Good idea," said Kevin. "I think I will too. Where do you plan to go?"
Merope shrugged. "London maybe."
"London?!" Kevin gasped. "The city? The city's always so...busy and dirty. Everyone runs away to London."
"Where would you go?"
Kevin had a faraway dreamy look on his face. "The sea. I don't just want to run away, I want to sail away."
Merope smiled. That did sound really nice.
"Ever seen the ocean?"
Merope shook her head.
"It's gorgeous!" he said. "I'll have to show you pictures."
"You want to be a sailor?"
"Yes, but not in the royal navy or anything like that," said Kevin, shaking his head. "I want to be a real fisherman. I practice fishing techniques at the lake or in the creek. I study the stars every night."
"Why?" Merope looked confused.
"That's how sailors navigate," Kevin said. "They know exactly where they are just by studying the night sky."
"Astronomy?"
"Yeah, exactly."
Merope remembered that astronomy was one of the fields of magical study. She found it quite complicated so she dismissed it and focused on charms and potions. Maybe if she had a teacher, even a muggle teacher, she would do better.
"Can you show me?" she asked.
"I'll be happy to!" Kevin said brightly. "I'm afraid we won't see much at your home. Too many trees. You need a great open space. Don't worry, there are plenty of great star gazing spots right here in the village. Whoa." He pulled on the reigns, hopped down from the wagon and went to the other side to help Merope down.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow then," he said. "Do you want me to come get you?"
Merope shook her head. "No, I'll come by myself."
"All right," said Kevin and he gave her a quick hug. "Good night, Merope."
"Yes, good night, Kevin," said Merope, waving at him as he made his way to the wagon. She opened the door and stepped inside. It was a moment or two until she heard him drive off. Merope looked at the newly purchased clock she had on the wall. It was eight and even though she was pretty tired from the eventful day, she didn't feel like she could go to bed just yet. She was thinking of what just took place.
Accepting help from muggles. Eating with muggles. Talking with muggles. Hugging Muggles. None of this would have happened a month ago. If the Hales knew who Merope really was, would they still be as welcoming?
She went to Marada's tank to say hello. Even though the snake was sleeping, it woke long enough to welcome her home. It reminded her of her dreams of her son Tom. He had discovered that he could speak to snakes and do magic, though he didn't know that was his ability.
Merope went down to the cellar to look to look through her potion lab. She had some potions brewing in cauldrons that needed tending to. As she did so, she thought of the love potion. She could so easily give Tom Riddle the love potion tomorrow as a gift, if she hadn't already promised Emily and herself to wait on it. She sighed. It would be so easy. Just one sip and he'd be hers.
There had to be something suitable she could give him. She looked at the ones she had already made, but they were only antidotes to boils and other ailment remedies. Tom didn't' suffer from anything, as far as she understood. Then she noticed a potion she had over looked. The Vitamix Potion, that was supposed to give the drinker energy. She didn't think Tom was low on energy, but having energy was always good. It was an easy potion to make, so she could always make more. Tomorrow she'd stop in town to get a box to wrap the potion in. She needed to get bottles, too, as she was running out of them. Her mother mentioned in her book that the pub owner allowed her to take the empty liquor bottles as payment for cleaning the pub or getting rid of pests. Perhaps he'd let her have some too?
After tending to her potions, she went upstairs to take a bath and retire to bed. She laid in bed a while. What would she dream of tonight? Her last dream showed Tom making a bunny hang itself from the rafters. Merope couldn't believe he would harm a defenseless creature. She had cried nearly as much as poor Billy Stubbs dead. The boy was distraught over it and he seemed to know Tom was behind it. Merope hoped it was just a phase. He was trying to figure out how to use his abilities. When he went to Hogwarts, surely it would stop. Wouldn't it?
"Please Tom, don't hurt them anymore," she yawned before falling asleep.
It was the middle of the summer and the orphans were by the sea. It was gorgeous and Merope could understand why Kevin wanted to sail away. Many kids collected seashells or teamed up to build sandcastles. Tom however was not interested by such actives, or to even admire the view. Dennis Bishop, a friendly boy a little older than Tom followed him with shy girl Amy Benson. Dennis had tried to befriend Tom but he was never interested. He wasn't interested in being friends anyone .
"Tom, we've got to stay together,' he said.
"I know," Tom muttered. "I want to see what's behind these rocks. Not scared, are you?"
"We coudl get hurt!" Amy squeaked.
"I'm a good climber, don't worry," said Dennis. They followed Tom over the rocks and walked on until shortly they found a cave. Tom smirked.
"Let's go in," he said.
Amy shook her head. "It's dark! We don't know what's in there." Merope was with Amy on that one. A cave was no place for young children to play.
"Then stay out here," Tom barked and entered the dark cave. The other two lingered and reluctantly followed him inside. To their surprise it was naturally lit by limestone.
"It's...pretty," Amy murmured.
There was a large lake within the cave and across it was a small island.
"Wonder what's over there?" said Tom. "Treasure maybe?"
"What makes you say that?" asked Dennis.
"This could be a pirate's cave," said Tom. "I've read pirates hide their treasure in caves."
"Even if it is," said Dennis. "We've got no way to get over there. We need a boat or something."
"Come no," said Amy. "Mrs. Cole would be cross with us if she knew were in here." She started to back up to the exit and before she made it through, it closed shut. She screamed.
"We're locked in!" cried Dennis, walking over to the wall and banging on it. "Hello, anyone out there!"
The limestone began flashing. Dennis stared at it in shock and Amy began crying. Then it went pitch black in the cave. Stalactites fell from the cave ceiling into the lake, making large splashes.
"What's going on? What's going on?" Dennis muttered.
"Somethings in here with us," said Amy. "A monster!"
Tom laughed. "You believe in monsters?"
"This isn't' funny, Tom!" Dennis said. "I think it's a cave in, but we can't see in anything." He groped in the darkness and felt Amy. She shrieked. "Amy, that you? Sorry. Here, hold my hand. Tom, do you have a torch? Maybe we can find a way out of here."
"No," said Tom. "I think we're stuck in here, until we die."
"Stop it, Tom!" Dennis snapped, attempting to be brave, but Merope could hear the fear in his voice.
"I don't' want to die!" Amy screamed. "I want to go home!"
Amy continued to wail. Dennis tried to calm her down. "Maybe this is a pirate's cave and the pirates died in here. I reckon they don't want us to take the treasure."
"Yeah, maybe it's haunted,' said Tom, grinning in the dark. "But you're not afraid of a couple of ghosts are you?"
"I've heard stories of ghosts following people home and haunting them," said Dennis. "Cursing them. All sorts of horrible things. We've got to get out of here!"
But Tom wasn't done having fun with them yet. Dennis fell on the ground, bringing Amy with him.
"Ow!" they both cried.
"I hurt my knee!" Amy blubbered.
"Something pushed me." Dennis said. "Tom, did you push me? This isn't funny!"
"I'm here by the water," said Tom casually. "Had to be a ghost."
"We need to get out of here, Tom. Help us!"
"Maybe we'll have to swim our way out," Tom suggested.
"I can't swim!" Amy said.
"Let us out! Let us out! Let us out!" Amy crawled on cave floor, sobbing and hitting the wall.
"Maybe if I push hard enough," Dennis grimaced, pushing with all his might. "Tom, help me push!"
Tom didn't budge from his spot.
"We won't take the treasure! We won't take a the treasure! We'll never come back, just let us out! Just let us out, please!" Dennis and Amy wailed.
A few moments later the opening appeared and Dennis fell down again. "The outside!" He helped Amy to her feet. "Let's go, Amy."
"Look, you two," said Tom, nodding to where the stalactites had fallen. "There's a bridge now. We can go get the treasure."
"No, you're mad!" Dennis shouted. "We're never playing with you again, ever!"
"I'm not mad," Tom said, his dark eyes narrowing.
Hand in hand, Amy and Dennis ran for it. Tom lingered for a while and looked around the cave with the most disturbing of smiles. If given the chance, Tom would do this to any child gullible enough. The children were sore afraid and Tom loved every minute of it. Merope stared at her son in horror. She hated to admit it, but Amy Benson was right. There was a monster with them. It was Tom all along.
To Be Continued