The Mysterious House: Chapter 6

Back in the RV, Alex, John, and Lauren sat around the small dining room table. The room was deathly silent, apart from the coffee pot on the stove beginning to boil, and the small kitchen clock ticking. Lauren glared across the table at Alex and John, who looked nervous at the chastising that was to come. A minute later, Jacob strode into the room. He had just finished tucking Emily back into bed.1

Jacob took a seat next to his wife.2

"Okay boys, out with it!" he yelled.3

"Aw, come on, it's not a big deal!" exclaimed John.4

"Oh yeah, sneaking around a dilapidated old house at midnight is no big deal." said Lauren sarcastically.5

"Yeah, I did it all the time as kid," scoffed Jacob.6

"Okay mom, I'll tell you the truth." said Alex. "Remember how I said that I saw a girl in the window? Well, she's a ghost, and John and I wanted to investigate it."7

"It's true." said John. "She was a ghost, but she left just before you guys came in."8

Lauren shook her head in disbelief.9

"I'm disappointed in BOTH of you! Alex, I kind of expected you to lie, but never you, John." The boys began to protest, but Lauren shushed them.10

"Jacob, what do you think's an appropriate punishment?" asked Lauren.11

"Well, I think two weeks without TV and the Play Station 2 would be fitting."12

Jacob got up to get the coffee pot from the stove and made himself and Lauren some coffee.13

"Great. Case closed!" said Lauren. "Now off to bed, both of you. We've got a big day ahead of us. We're driving into town to look around and get supplies from the hardware store. That old house is going to be as good as new when we're done with it!"14

Alex and John heaved a long sigh and trudged back off to bed.15