Rose Five The Spook

By Christopher Charles

She saw the dress drop slightly. In one quick movement, she had the bottom of the dress in her free hand. She felt her feet sliding. Using the dress, she managed to regain her balance.
George, thinking he was trapped, struggled to free himself.
She felt the dress giving way. "George!" She shouted. "George! Don't let go! I'm slipping!"
George dropped the dress sending her into the water face first. She dropped the lantern trying to catch herself, but she hung onto the dress. She felt her hands go through the mud and strike the hard dirt below. Her nose and mouth filled with the soft mud. She came up spitting mud and water.
She started to wipe her face with the dress but changed her mind. The stench coming from it overpowered her nose. She remained sitting in the water searching for the lantern. It was dark. The water was almost up to her shoulders. She thought about ducking her head under the water to search for it, but she could not bring herself to do it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christopher Charles
• Release date: Dec 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781950901296

Book preview

Copyright 2/21/09

11527513771

This is the Fifth story in the sixteen book series, Rose Chronicles.

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Other Books By the Author

Ana

Buffalo Boy

Lucky Seven

Detective Harriet Brown Series

1 The Mystery

2 The Cruise

3 Kidnaped

4 The Prince

5 Marriage

Bodhi Series

1 Alien

2 Black Hole

3 Asteroid

4 Earthstar

5 Alien War

6 The Blackness

7 New Planet

8 Rose The Warrior

15 The Spook

By Christopher Charles

Contents:

Prologue

1 Cabin Fever

2 George

3 The Blue Dress

4 The Spook

5 Chief Black Cloud

6 Sanctified

7 Reverend Halley

Prologue

George appears and creates havoc at the schoolhouse where the flood has forced everyone to gather. Rose must find him and send him on his way before anyone discovers he is Mrs. Stone’s Ghoul.

1 Cabin Fever

The people at Sloan's cabin continued to be busy. They managed to patch the bridge enough to bring the Mc Kissens across, but now they were building a more permanent one.

Rose had arrived very exhausted and continued to sleep for five days. She woke at times when her mother forced her to drink Mrs. Stone's broth. Rose could barely hear her mother through the fog surrounding her. She was talking to Doctor Richardson.

She's come down with influenza, Mrs. Donovan said. Caught up in that weather with her clothes wet.

It may not be that, Doctor Richardson said. I think we've just worn the poor girl out. She's not had a good night's sleep for days now. I know how I feel, and she's been through a lot more.

But her arm, Mrs. Donovan said, It looks infected!

I've seen worse, Doctor Richardson said, Mrs. Stone's herbs are helping to take the swelling down. She's going to have scars, though. There's no helping that.

Mrs. Donovan dropped a tear, She's so young to have scars, Doctor.

There's scars and then there's scars, ma'am, Doctor Richardson said. She happens to have the scars of a mountain lion. Few can say that.

Rose began to feel the pain in her arm and felt herself drifting off. It hurts something awful, she said to no one in particular. Maybe she was talking to Mary Beth beside her. Did she fall asleep and wake up again?

I'm sorry it hurts so bad, Mary Beth said. Do you want to sleep some more?

Rose struggled through the pain, How long have I been asleep?

Five days now, Mary Beth said. Your mother's worried that you might have influenza.

Rose sat up and looked around. She noticed the new bandage on her left arm and hand. It continued to hurt enough to keep her awake. Mary Beth had a similar one on her left arm. I guess we're a pair, she said.

Mary Beth smiled, Mine's coming off today, but it will leave a scar Doctor Richardson said.

Mine too, Rose said. I heard them talking.

You're a hero you know, Mary Beth said. The Mc Kissens can't stop talking about you. I think they feel a little responsible for you being so sick.

They rowed me back here, Rose said quietly. It's me who should be thanking them. She pushed herself up more on her pillow.

The flood has crested.

It has?

That's what everyone is saying, Mary Beth continued, But it will be weeks before we see our house again.

How far has it gone down? Rose asked finding a new position that didn't hurt.

Some say a foot, but I can't see any difference. It's still water for miles.

Mrs. Donovan noticed that her daughter was awake and brought her some broth. It's nice to see that you decided to join the world again.

Mary Beth said I've been asleep for five days.

Mrs. Donovan dropped to her knees and gave Rose a hug. Yes, you gave us all quite a scare. She quickly wiped the tears that were starting to flow. She handed the broth to Mary Beth. Here, she should drink all of it to get her strength back. Standing, she brushed herself off. If you feel like eating something solid later, I saved some potatoes out for you.

Suddenly the door opened, and Captain Bollinger entered followed by Mrs. Stone. She immediately took his arm once he was through the door. He stopped a moment to cough and wipe his mouth.

Mrs. Donovan became very nervous. She turned quickly and walked towards him. I hope the outside air did you good, she said. Is Doctor Richardson coming back? Rose is awake now. I want him to look at her.

He'll be along, Captain Bollinger replied. He went with the others to check the flood level. He wanted to be sure the water was receding.

Mrs. Donovan stopped in front of him, I certainly hope so.

We all do, Mrs. Donovan, he said and stood there a moment before continuing. Then looking her straight in the eye, It is time we were realistic. We all know the food stores are used up. It was very generous of you and your husband to share your winter stores, but it is time to consider the cows.

No! Mrs. Donovan said and stiffened her back. We will not be taking the milk from the children.

Ma'am, it is time for them, he said patiently.

You still have your horses! She said defiantly. You can eat them!

You know the horses are of greater value.

Not to the children! She insisted. It will be your horses first!

It has already been decided, he said softly. It will be the cows next.

"You didn't ask the women and