The House on Mayblury Street
“That house on Mayblury Street is not haunted.” Man, I should not have said that. My friend Jake always wins arguments. And I had just started one. “You want to bet?” “Oh, I have an idea!” my friend Bob chimed in. His ideas normally stink. “We’ll all stay in that house for five days. We can split the house up into four areas: one for Kyle, one for Max, one for Jake, and one for me!” Okay, this idea really stinks. “Alright! Let’s meet there at 5:00 tonight, if you’re not scared, Max.” “Darn it all, Kyle! Do you always have to side with Bob?” “Enough bickering! Everyone better be there, because we are swearing to uphold this thing, capeesh?” That’s Jake, normally starting, and ending, the arguments.
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Mayblury Street is full of posh mansions. Everyone there is, like, a millionaire. They all have pools, and three story houses, and so many other things we don’t have. I mean, they have butlers. That would be awesome to have a personal servant. Then again, these people are CEOs or something. But there is one house that doesn’t match that description. 4532 Mayblury Street is a decrepit old shack at the very far end. Rumors have it that the owner was a mean old man, named Marcus, who hated everyone. There are even rumors he was like a dragon, guarding some great treasure. To add to the house’s bad reputation, a group of ghost hunters went in there to conduct an séance. Apparently, they all ran out screaming. I think they’re all still in some padded room somewhere. By the time it was 5 o’clock, I was pretty unnerved about this plan. Spending five days in a haunted house is not my idea of fun. I had everything I thought I might need: spare clothes, rope, a flashlight and batteries, a blanket, some charms for good luck, some food, and my baseball bat. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking: how is a baseball bat going to help you? If any of my friends break the promise and intrude on my section, I can hit them with the bat. Everyone held to the promise. All four of us showed up on time. Somehow, Bob managed to get a blueprint of the house. Apparently, he went to the library. I really doubt it. Bob using a library? Not likely. The gate was rusted, and a loud screeching sound as it opened, as if the Old Man Marcus was still there, and trying to hold the gate shut and keep us out. Whoa, time out. I really need to stop thinking these kinds of thoughts. The way this is going, I won’t last a night. We quickly outlined who got what section. Kyle got the ballroom and bathroom. Unlucky him. The ballroom is supposed to be where the séance was performed. Jake got the kitchen and dining room. Bob got the guest bedroom and the second bathroom. I got the master bedroom and bathroom. Yay, I can sleep where Old Man Marcus slept. Goody, goody. We split up into our respective areas. I started to stake out the place, and see the layout. I figured it would be best to see what was in my area before dark. Dark will make things twist and change appearance. I don’t quite like that in unfamiliar territory. The first thing I noticed was the dust and cobwebs. Then the floor creaked, so I’m assuming this floor isn’t stable. I really hope I don’t sleep a rotten patch. The bedroom itself had a grand king size bed, some dressers, and a closet. Nothing too much. I guess whatever remaining family Old Man Marcus had cleared all the valuables out. The bathroom was really old fashioned, but fancy. And dusty. And full of cobwebs. The counter was so dusty I couldn’t tell what kind of stone it was. I don’t think taking a bath in the tub would help. But it would probably kill a lot of spiders. The toilet was a pull chain, but I don’t think water still comes here. These living conditions are going to become horrible within 3 days. When I finished staking out the territory I got stuck. I had nothing to do. Except clean the place up. Yeah, right. I don’t know what got a hold of me, but I decided to look in the closet. The door’s rusted hinges groaned as they opened; making me almost hit the ceiling. What I saw then did make me hit the ceiling. Staring straight out of the closet was a grotesquely carved gargoyle snarling up at me. It had its wings spread, and looked ready to pounce. Other than that the closet was empty. What kind of weird old man keeps gargoyles in his closet but nothing else? I quickly shut the closet door. I began to wonder how the rest of my friends were doing, so I headed the convergence point of our territories. I was surprised to find all of them there too. In fact, they all looked slightly unnerved. Unfortunately, they come from proud families. They will do anything to maintain their “pride”, even if it means committing suicide. “Whoa, what are you guys doing here?” “I was just checking if you guys were okay,” Bob nervously replied, as if he thought I was a ghost. And I’m the scaredy-cat of the group. Jake decided that he had to start another argument. I guess he had started to lose his nerve, and desperately wanted it back. “No, you were scared, and wanted some comfort from your friends.” Oh, great. Now Jake and Bob were launching off into an argument. I have a suspicion that there will be a war between those two “territories”. “So, um, Kyle, how is your little area?” I decided I kind of wanted to make it so that in no way, shape, or form I could become involved in Jake and Bob’s argument. “Great.” I could guess that it actually wasn’t. I guess he is worried about the séance location. “They never learn do they?” “Who?” Wow. That was one of the dumbest answer I’ve ever said. “Jake and Bob. They’re going to grow up to be debaters.” “Yeah. Or lawyers.” “That I want to see. Jake in suit? Never going to happen.” “Hey! What are you dimwits babbling about?’ Jake just had to include everyone in these fights. ”Party’s over. No more talking to each other!!”
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I’m actually amazed. I think Jake just avoided an argument. But, he did break up the group. Everyone was getting comfortable while talking to each other. I guessed that it must be around 6 o’clock at night. I decided I would have dinner before heading off to bed.
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I did not get much sleep last night. I woke up at almost midnight due to a banging in the closet. A little unnerving, considering I checked the closet during the day and there was only a gargoyle in there. Unless… I don’t like to think about it. But when I clicked on the flashlight and quickly threw open the door, all that was there was the gargoyle. Although, it was in a different position… Something is really weird in this house. I hope nothing to deadly happens in our 3 days. Boy, it is going to be a long 3 days.
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I checked the convergence point again, and everyone was there. They all didn’t sleep well either. Kyle was worried about the séance site. Bob thought he heard heavy chains coming up from the basement. Jake, uh, had decided he would sleep in a cupboard. Apparently it wasn’t very comfortable. He probably had the most “normal” night of all of us. A random thought suddenly occurred to me. “Uh, guys? What are we going to do during the day? It might get kind of boring.” “Oh, simple.” Uh-oh. Bob usually had really bad ideas.” How about we perform some séances! I have candles and chalk with me!” “Why the heck do you have those kinds of items, and why did you even think about suggesting that kind of thing!” Jake just exploded in Bob’s face! This argument might get kind of interesting! “I, uh, heh, um…” My guess is that Bob had this all planned from the beginning. I think he might be possessed. He never plans ahead. “No! We are not doing that you moron! No way! Never!” Kyle got the nerve to start whispering quietly so that Jake wouldn’t hear, “Dude, I think Jake is scared!” “I AM NOT SCARED!!! THE IDEA IS JUST STUPID!!!” I think Jake heard him. Now it’s time to wake up the neighborhood. “WELL, THEN WHY DO YOU THINK MY IDEA IS STUPID???” “SHUT UP, BOB!” “NO!” “DARNIT ALL!” Whoa. I just surprised myself, and I think my friends are also surprised. They’re all staring at me like I’m frothing at the mouth. “Seriously, let’s all agree it is a really stupid idea, and just get on with the day, alright?”
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That ended the meeting. My guess is, there is an unspoken agreement here to make me lose the bet now. They’re probably going to all meet at lunch and dinner too. Meh. I decided I would do some more in depth exploring. But first… I decided I would move the gargoyle right in front of the door to Bob’s territory. I’ll get him back for that really stupid idea.
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Not much else to talk about happened during that time. But I did find a secret entrance to somewhere. I think the basement. Maybe not. Who knows? The lunch meeting was uneventful, except for all the glares pointed my way. I don’t think Bob found the gargoyle yet, and I bet the neighborhood won’t get much sleep tonight. When it was time for dinner, we all met again. This time though, Kyle wasn’t there. “He wimped out,” was Bob’s explanation. I suspect a trick. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a loud rattling sound started coming from the ballroom. It sounded like chains. Bob and Jake started screaming. Unfortunately for them, it wasn’t convincing enough for me. A loud wailing reverberated through the deserted halls. A dark figure in chains was slowly coming our way from the ballroom. “Hey Kyle, nice try!” I yelled at it. It kept coming. I was starting to doubt that it was Kyle. But it was to close now to worry about that. I guess I still had that little suspicion about who it was, until I decided to kick it. I hit it pretty low, and the thing cried out in pain. “That trick failed Kyle. You were never any good at acting.” “Darn it! So close to! It would have worked if not for you screaming Kyle!” Bob was on a rant now. But he had a right to be mad; after all, he just failed really badly. “Fine! I admit it! We were trying to make you run from the house!” “Well, that didn’t work for you guys. I’m going back to my area.”
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The middle of the night was quite eventful tonight. Firstly, it sounded like there was a pack of wolves outside. Then, I heard a loud scream, which was then muffled. Oh well. Serves Bob right for that trick he tried to play today.
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We decided at breakfast that we would go try to find Bob. But, as much as we tried, we couldn’t. All we found was the gargoyle. I suggested we throw it outside, or see if we could destroy it. Kyle and Jake agreed with me. We went out into the garden and the first thing we saw was a giant boulder. “Lets try to smash this thing against that rock.” First intelligent thing Jake has said so far, I feel. We threw the gargoyle almost 100 times against that rock. The gargoyle wasn’t scratched, but the boulder was now about 15 different chunks of rock. We decided to just bury the thing.
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Nothing much happened after that. But then that night, there were several loud thumps and crashes from the kitchen. The freakiest thing was that there were no screams. I really think Jake is in trouble, but his silly bet prevents me from going to help him.
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That morning, Jake wasn’t at the meeting point. It was just Kyle and I. Such wonderful company. Suddenly, a rather loud stomping sound came from the kitchen. Kyle jumped up, ready to bolt. I started to stand up, more because I can’t do anything sitting down. That’s when we found Jake. He started walking out of the kitchen, moaning. He looked really banged up and hurt. Kyle was already edging away. He bolted when he saw some green slime drip out of Jake’s mouth. “ZOMBIE!” Kyle was gone, running for the door. “Nice Jake.” I knew it was a joke. After the door slammed, Jake spat out the goop and just laughed. “Oh, that was good! I made sure you guys heard the banging last night, and I found some weird green goop stuff in the kitchen.” He barely wheezed that out around his laughter. “Yeah, nice. But, do you have any idea what you just put in your mouth???” “Nope.” Wow. I’m talking with a real genius here. “So, it’s just you and me now, eh?” “Yeah, and I’m going to win.” “Don’t count on it.”
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I don’t think to much else will happen for the rest of these 2 days, except for my attempts to get Jake, and his attempts to get me. We agree the house is now split in half. We both have a lot more territory. As it happens, Jake attempted to strike first. He managed to make “bats” out of some moldy bread. He hung them at the edge of my territory. I pulled them down, but I guess I missed one. I heard a couple thunks in the middle of the night. When I investigated it, I found that the bat had moved, breaking into small crumbs. I guess when lights go out, things come to life in this house.
I decided that the best way to get Jake back was by using my insane imagination. I broke apart a couple of chairs and started making a weird creature. I waited until the next night to sneak across the ballroom, which is divided in half by The Line. I set it up on his side of the ballroom, then closed the doors, so I could hear it if it came back my way. I had the bat at ready.
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Late into the night, the world woke up. The screams were terrible. The good news is that I heard the front door slam meaning Jake was gone. The bad news, I’m trapped in an old house with a freakish chair-monster-thing. Great. I heard loud thuds coming my way. Great. It’s time for fight or flight. My first choice is fight. The chair monster is as big as the doorway, and it’s coming to get me. No problem. Simple really. Pound it into several different pieces. Easy. Okay, maybe not. I think I’m just lying to myself. Oh well, here goes. As soon as the monster showed up, I lunged. I swung the bat, but it just opened its mouth and swallowed it whole. Snap. I bolted for the back door. I was almost there when it splintered inwards. Standing silhouetted in the light was the gargoyle. Now I’m stuck in between two creatures that hate me. Darn it all! The gargoyle lunged for me, and I ducked as fast I could. Well, surprise! The chair monster got angry gargoyle in its face! I wasn’t watching because I was trying to get out of the house, and splinters were flying. In the end, I guess the gargoyle won, because when the noise stopped, I turned around and saw the gargoyle standing there. I ran.
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Well, the group is back together again. Apparently, Bob snuck out of the house earlier that night, not because of the gargoyle, but because his mom would have been mad at him. Jake will not let him live it down. Jake won’t admit approximately 4.6 chairs broken up and shaped like a monster chased him out. They all admit the house is haunted, and I won the bet, about $35.25. Oh, and now the group is more cautious around me. Why? Because of my new pet, Rocky. He’s a gargoyle.
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~Fin
Aarosen · Fri Jan 08, 2010 @ 03:29pm · 0 Comments |