“Then out of the dark came a……GHOST! Boo!” “Ahh!” Cherry screamed. Billy always told the best scary stories, at least that’s what Cherry thought. “Oh come on, that wasn’t even that scary.” Mackenzie claimed. “Like you could do better, nothing scary ever happens in Orsen.” Billy said. “What about the mansion on West Street?” Said Cherry. “I heard it’s haunted!” “We’ve all heard that, but who says that’s even true?” Mackenzie said. “Why don’t we bust the myth, once and for all?” So off they went to the haunted mansion, Cherry with a scared look on her face, Billy trying hard to cover his nervousness, and Mackenzie with her head held high. They reached the haunted mansion and went inside. They were greeted by a chilling air that seemed to say, come in. They crept up the stairs to the first floor and came across a swimming pool. “Wow! I wish I had a swimming pool in my house!” Cherry exclaimed. Billy and Mackenzie continued searching the first floor while Cherry stayed to admire the pool. Billy and Mackenzie found lots of things: a master bedroom with three walk-in closets, a hot tub, four kitchens…..”Help!” Their findings were interrupted by Cherry screaming. They raced to the pool, but Cherry had just been whipped around the corner. “No! Cherry, come back!” Billy cried. Billy raced after Cherry, determined to get her back. Mackenzie knew better than to run after, she went and hid in the master bedroom, waiting to hopefully hear them come back. She waited and waited and waited. She didn’t think Billy and Cherry were ever going to come back. Tears started to roll down Mackenzie’s face. Maybe scary things did happen in Orsen after all. She left from her hiding spot and crept downstairs. She made it to the door and called out, “Billy?…..Cherry?” “Mackenzieeeeeeeee…” A spooky voice called out. What followed was gleeful giggling. “Hello?” Mackenzie said, confused. Out from the corner came Billy and Cherry! They weren’t taken after all! Billy and Cherry were immediately greeted with a huge hug from Mackenzie. “You scared me half to death!” Mackenzie exclaimed. They all shared a laugh as they started the walk back home. After they were out of sight, a white figure came through the door. “Phew, I’m glad they’re gone!”
Chelsea Laplante, Bennington, Age 13
Grade 8