Stalking Shadows (Scary Mary) Read Online Free

creeps.”
    “Yeah, but I should learn to conquer my fears.”
    “You call them Hotels of Death.”
    “Are we going to see your mom or not?”
    Rachel led the way through the lobby. Mary’s eyes darted around. Hospitals did creep her out. So many people dying in one place meant hauntings were prevalent and plentiful.
    Mary followed Rachel onto the elevator.
    “What floor, please?”
    “Rach, what floor?”
    “I pushed three. Why?”
    Mary jumped and scowled. She and Rachel were alone in the elevator. She’d seen it was empty when she’d gotten on, but still, she’d reacted to the ghost like he was there. She hated when that happened.
    The doors opened, and Rachel led the way to the nurse’s station. A middle-aged woman in pink scrubs looked up at them, and her round face broke into a happy smile. Rachel walked around the desk and gave her mother a hug.
    “What a pleasant surprise! What are you two girls doing here?”
    Mary wandered behind the nurse’s station and got pulled into a hug, too. She felt even guiltier telling her lie with her arms around Mrs. Pillar. “I was thinking about volunteering, but didn’t know what I should do. Do you know anything about that?”
    Mrs. Pillar squeezed her tighter before letting her go. “That’s a wonderful idea! There are all sorts of programs: the candy stripers, baby massage, the gift shop. You have to get an application from the volunteer office. It’s on the fifth floor. Just follow the signs when you get off the elevator.”
    “Thanks, Mrs. Pillar.”
    “Oh, and if you want to stop by and see Vicky Nelson, she’s on the second floor in room 204. I’m sure her parents would like to see kids from school.”
    “Mom, we aren’t exactly friends with Vicky.”
    “Well, are you going to fill out an application, too?”
    Rachel’s eyes shot to Mary. This was an unexpected development. “I’ll pick up an application and think about it,” she said.
    “It’ll look good on your college applications,” Mrs. Pillar suggested.
    Rachel huffed a sigh. “Thanks Mom. We gotta go. See you at home.”
    “Tell your father that I’m bringing dinner home at 7 p.m. So no snacking. I’ll know. Tell him that.”
    Rachel began backing away, tugging Mary with her. “Sure, Mom.”
    “And it’d be nice if you could do a load of darks for me. I’ll fold them later tonight.”
    Rachel stabbed the elevator call button. “Sure, Mom.”
    “It was nice to see you girls. I hope your grandmother’s well, Mary.” Rachel dragged Mary into the elevator and pressed five.
    “Very well, Mrs. Pillar. Thanks for the info.” The elevator doors began to close.
    “My pleasure. And Rachel, could you pickup—”
    “Sorry, Mom, what?” Rachel said as she mashed the door close button.
    When the doors had shut, Rachel slumped against the elevator wall. “I didn’t think we’d ever get out of there.”
    Mary smirked. “Your mom’s really nice.”
    She glared at her. “Sure, you can say that. She doesn’t give you chores.”
    The elevator doors opened, and the girls exited. They followed the signs to the volunteer program office, where they each picked up an application. Rachel held hers like it was infected. Mary folded hers and put it in her pocket. She didn’t even bother to read it. The volunteer coordinator had been very bubbly and eager to get the girls signed up, but Mary told her that she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do and would have to talk it over with her grandmother. They got out of the office relatively unscathed.
    When they got back into the elevator, Rachel pressed L.
    “What floor, please?”
    “Two,” Mary whispered.
    The number two button lit up.
    The elevator went down. “So, what do you think you want to do?” Rachel asked as she peered at the application. It would’ve been easier to read if she hadn’t been holding it at arm’s length.
    “I don’t know,” Mary said. The elevator doors opened, and she strode off. Rachel followed and