Mike couldn’t believe that Mr. Mackey’s secret tragedy was connected to his store, and no one had ever told him.“Do you think he’d ever take it back?”	“Why would he? His son was never found, and he still blames your dad for it. I think it’s his way of making himself feel better about the accident. He thinks horror movies are evil or something.”	“That’s stupid. Most kids are more scared of him than they are of horror movies,” Mike said, “He shouldn’t blame my dad.”	“He thinks he’s protecting the kids,” Tim said, rolling his eyes. 	“Well, if he is trying to save kids, why is he so mean to us? Everyone’s afraid of him. Even Jack.”	“I don’t know. I guess he’s just a cranky old man. Don’t take it personally. He’s had it rough. He has to stand on that playground everyday knowing that just over that fence, his son’s body is down there somewhere.”	 “Then why doesn’t he teach at another school?”	“I don’t know, bud. Sometimes people just like to torture themselves.” - Saving Hascal's Horrors
Laura Smith
adventure, boys, horror, middle-grade