Stalking Shadows (Scary Mary) Read Online Free PDF Page A

sound?”
    “Sounds great.”
    “How was school?”
    “Okay, I went by the hospital.”
    Gran leaned out of the kitchen to talk to her more easily. “You did? Did you visit the Nelson girl?”
    “Yeah, I met her mom. She seemed nice. I felt bad for her.”
    “Of course, dear.”
    Mary pulled out the volunteer application and took it into the kitchen. “I also visited Rachel’s mom.”
    Gran smiled as she put a frying pan on the stove. “How is Mrs. Pillar?”
    “Good, she asked about you, but the reason I went to the hospital was because I’m thinking about volunteering there.”
    Gran stilled and turned to her. “Really? Are you sure that’s wise? Hospitals can be very trying places for ones like us, especially you with your heightened ability.”
    She looked down at the application, still surprised that she’d filled it out. “I think it’ll be good for me, and I think I can do some good. Will you sign the permission form?”
    Gran drew back while she thought it over. “If it’s something you want to do, I will. I just don’t want you doing something that upsets you too much. Even for non-sensitives, hospitals can be very dire places.”
    Mary clenched her body to keep from fidgeting. “I know, but I want to try. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll quit, but I feel like I have to do this.”
    Gran gave her an odd look but shrugged it off. “All right. I’ll sign. It’s a good thing.”
    She let out a silent sigh. “Thanks, Gran.”
    “Did Vicky’s accident prompt this idea?”
    “Yeah, sort of. How was your day?” she asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from all things Vicky.
    “All right. Another ghost-hunting group called, hoping I’d work with them. Had to let them down easy.”
    “Don’t know why you don’t give it a try. You could be the next big thing in paranormal entertainment.”
    Gran shook her head. “No, thank you. I’m quite happy with my private practice. Anyway, I don’t understand why they insist on only working in the dark. It’s silly. You’re going to get hurt--and not by a ghost. And I don’t understand all their thingamabobs: EMF detectors, IR thermometers, and EVPs. It’s all just alphabet soup to me.”
    “Yeah, but it would be cool to have a proton pack.”
    “A proton what? What does that do?”
    Mary grinned and kissed her on the cheek. “Don’t worry about it.”

 
     
    Chapter 3
    So Many Questions
     
     
    Mr. Landa was overjoyed to hear that Mary wanted to volunteer at the hospital. He said it was an excellent opportunity for her, and he thought being in a different social structure would really open her eyes to her self-worth.
    “What made you decide to volunteer at the hospital?”
    “Well, I heard Vicky was there in a coma, and I figure this will give me access to her room so I can Sharpie a mustache on her without getting caught.”
    Mr. Landa’s pleased smile slipped off his face. “Mary, the hospital is not a place for you to goof around. Volunteering there is a very serious responsibility. The nurses and doctors will expect a higher level of maturity from you. I will not write this recommendation unless you convince me that you will present that while there.”
    She was surprised by his seriousness and quickly scrambled to reflect it. “I want to make people feel better. I know I can’t make them well, but I want to help in some way. I am serious about going there and helping people. Even Vicky, if she needs it.”
    “You want to help people?” Mary could tell he didn’t fully believe her. She was going to have to convince him.
    “Yes, the whole reason I want to do this is to help people. I feel like I need to. If I don’t do this, it will come back”--Mary’s throat caught as she realized the cliché she was about to say and how possible it was--“to haunt me.”
    Mr. Landa nodded and picked up the recommendation form. “Okay, I’ll fill this out and send it in. Do you have someone else to ask for a