Island of Lost Girls - Jennifer McMahon [67]
Im just gonna run to my car, she told him. She heard the scrape of a chair. Then a shuffle and slide.
Shit. Peter was scrambling over the top of the dresser.
She ran to the stairs and bounded down them, two at a time.
Rhonda, slow down. Talk to me. Are you hurt? He was after her now.
She got to the bottom of the stairs, tripped on the toy bear there. Hadnt the rabbit given Ernie a white stuffed animal? A bear, right? No. It was a bunny. Of course it was a bunny. Rhonda picked up the plush animal. Tiny rounded ears. Big brown nose. Definitely a bear.
Peter was nearly at the bottom of the stairs, coming slowly, steadily.
Whys the garage padlocked, Peter?
I have no idea.
Whats in it?
I dont know, Rhondatools, coffinsthe same shit thats always been in there.
She backed her way to the front door and put her hand on the knob and turned. She raced outside, Peter right behind. She got to the garage, pounded on the locked door. Hello? she called. Can you hear me?
What do you think youre doing, Ronnie? Peter asked.
Unlock the door, Peter!
I cant. I dont have the key.
She reached into the front pocket of her jeans, pulled the key ring with the rabbits foot out, and tossed the keys in his direction. They landed on the front porch with a dull clank. He doubled back and picked them up.
Where did you get these? he asked. He looked horrified, as if shed thrown a severed hand at him.
Open the door to the garage, she demanded, trying to keep her voice calm and level.
I told you, Ronnie, I dont have a key. Never had one. My mother must have put that lock on years ago. He was talking slowly and calmly, as if to an unhinged person. He jogged down the porch steps and came toward her. She saw the old shovel leaning against the garage and picked it up, as Aggie had done to Daniel years before.
Jesus, Ronnie! Put the shovel down. He raised his hands in surrender but took another step toward her.
Come any closer and I aim for your head, she told him.
I mean it, Peter. Her hands were shaking. She backed up and slowly made her way to her car. Peter followed, making sure to keep just out of shovel range.
You cant leave here like this, he said.
Watch me, she said, throwing the shovel at him. He dove and it missed him by an inch. She got in her car and locked the doors. He came forward, tried the door handle, pounded on her window while she fumbled with the keys in the ignition.
Wait! he yelled. She threw the car into reverse and Peter lost his balance, falling in the driveway. She peeled out onto the road. Checked her rearview mirror to see Peter running after her. She floored it.
Fuck! she screamed, pounding the steering wheel. Fucking think! She could go to her parents, but what would they do? The police. She had to call the police. She grabbed her cell phone, but dialed the Find Ernie hotline instead of 911. Pat picked up.
Find Ernie hotline. Do you have a tip for us?
Pat, its Rhonda. I need to talk to Warren.
Hes not here.
Where is he? Rhondas voice was frantic.
I dont know, Rhonda. I havent seen him all day. Or last night for that matter. He might be at home with Jim.
Rhonda turned left, toward town. Pat and Jims house was on the way to the Mini Mart. Shed stop by there first and find Warren.
Pat, listen to me. I think Peter has Ernie at his mothers house. Out on Lake Street. I think shes in the garage.
What?Are you sure?
I saw her shoes, Pat. Im going to hang up and call Crowley right now. Peter knows I know. He may move her. Or worse.
Its all come crashing down. The rabbit suit is unpacked from its secret hiding place in a box at the back of a closet no one would ever think to look in. A faux fur pelt. Enormous ears, pink inside. Oh, the secrets those ears have heard! The heady secrets of little girls, whispered in soft, sugary breaths.
One last time, the rabbit suit will be worn. One last time, Peter Rabbit will come to life.
AUGUST 10, 1993
THEY HAD DONEthe play the past two nights and tonights performance would be the last