The Mentor – Part 3

Allyson wandered through the shelves until she found Huckleberry Finn again.  Sure enough the price was $15.95 and it looked in mint condition.

            “Mac how old is this book?”

            “Well, it’s a first edition and the date is 1884.  I would say it’s about 125 years old.”

            “But it looks brand new and it’s so cheap.”
            “I got a good deal from the previous owner.  Do you want it?”

            Allyson handed Mac a twenty dollar bill.  A moment later the front door opened and a girl about Allyson’s age walked into the store.

“Welcome back Carolyn.  Do you know Allyson?”

“I’ve seen you at school.”  She smiled.  “You’re the girl who likes to hang out at the cliff dwellings.”

“Yeah, I like places like that and learning about people who lived long ago.”

“Me too.  Can I come with you next time you go?”

“Sure,” Allyson smiled.  “It’s nice to have company on a dig.”

“Dig?”

“Yeah, I like to pretend I’m an archeologist.  Maybe we can go tomorrow afternoon.”

“That sounds like fun. 

* ** *** ** *

As the girls rode to the ruins outside of town the next afternoon, Allyson began thinking about what Mac had said about her future life.  I make the folks proud and not Donna?  Hum, how did she know my sisters name?

“Carolyn, how well do you know Mac?”

“I know she’s from Chicago.  She sure seems to know a lot about this town though.”

“Like what?”

“Well, she seems to know a lot about the school and the football team.  Course she could just be a fan.  She mentioned Tim Peterson too.”

“Did I hear my name?”  A tall blond boy appeared from behind a crumbling wall.”

“Aaaaah!” the girls both gasped.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Oh, Tim!  What are you doing here?”

“That cute redhead at the bookstore told me it was a place to find cool stuff.  Was she asking about me?” 

“Yeah,” Carolyn replied.  “Weird, huh; it was almost as if she knew you and Allyson.  Maybe she’s some kind of weirdo stalker.  We should check her out.”

“That sounds a little paranoid Carolyn.  Maybe she is just a merchant who likes to learn about her marketplace.”

“By learning about the kids?”  Tim cocked his head.

“You’re right.  Let’s go back to town.  I’m feeling creeped out.  Do you want to come with us Tim?”

“I’ve got my motorcycle, I’ll meet you girls at the Big Dipper for a snack and we can talk more about this person.”