The Mysterious House: Chapter 5

Alex stood on the spot in the old house, refusing to believe his eyes. John, however, gave a high-pitched scream and began to run. Alex grabbed John by the back of his shirt, and quickly covered John's mouth with his hand. 1

"Shush, John! Do you want mom and dad to hear us and know we're in here?" John whimpered a little bit, but stopped screaming. Alex and John stood still for a few moments to listen to see if their parents were coming, but all was silent, except for the sounds of chirping crickets and croaking frogs. Alex took a quick glance around to make sure everything was okay, released John, and looked back at the girl. 2

Strangely enough, she seemed calm. 3

"Is everything alright?" she asked in a high-pitched voice.4

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" demanded Alex.5

The girl gave a small giggle. "Oh, wouldn't you boys like to know?"6

"Bo? Sarah? Will? Come out here! The joke's over!" yelled John.7

All of a sudden the girl sat up straight in her bed and scowled. 8

"Oh, it's no joke alright. I'm real!" She gave another high-pitched laugh, a tiny shriek, and then she was gone. 9

John began screaming again. 10

"John, will you cut that out?" hissed Alex. "If you keep that up, mom and dad will know--"11

"Will know what?" asked a stern voice.12

"MOM!" Alex and John shouted. Lauren, with an angry look on her face, stood in the doorway with her bathrobe on, leaning against the door frame, tapping her foot. Jacob appeared behind her, looking just as angry. Emily, holding a tattered teddy bear in one hand, clung to Jacob's right leg.13

"Okay, you boys have a LOT of explaining to do!" exclaimed Jacob.14