Ty Rage. I actually didnt intend for it to be as long as it turned out. By the time I finished it was six pages. It would have been more, but I had to majorly edit it because it was long enough > <. 





                               Haunting Ground
                                


There's one in every neighborhood.
The one house in town that always
seems to arouse gossip and stories.
So called "haunted" houses and supposed
disappearances that people say the house
is to blame in all likelihood.

Of course, us reasonable people know
ghosts and goblins stealing people away
never would happen.
There's no way it could.
Right?
Matter of fact, I'm new to this town.
And I made a bet with some kids at school.
I'll find out after school if what
they say is really true.
So in front of the school I stood.

I get on my bike, secure my helmet
and start pedeling toward the house.
(I'll win this bet.)
I think to myself.
(This is one wager that he will regret.)

It's a beautiful Fall day.
Plenty of sunshine,
and only partly grey.
I breathe in deeply
and smell the invigorating
sweet scent of pine.
The leaves in the wind gently rustle.
I glance at my watch.
( Oh ***, I'm gonna be late. I better hussle.)

I could now see the house and my new
friends come into view.
"Hey boy, I wouldnt go there if I were you."
I stopped and looked over.
There was an old man sitting under a tree.
He stood up and was a tall skinny man
standing at about six foot-three.

He had a thick grey beard, long unkept hair,
and an old timey hat on his head.
Clothes that were filthy and his
jeans had a hole in one knee.
Actually looked like he changes
his clothes monthly.
I asked him who he was and he didnt answer.
So I said "The stories are fake.
I'm going inside to prove it then you'll see."
He just glared at me.
"Stay away from there. That house is evil son
all that awaits you there is catastrophe."

Just then there was a strong gust of wind.
I looked away when I heard
a call from a friend.
And when I looked back he was gone.
(Pfft. It'll take more than that to scare me.
Crazy old man probably ran home to hit his bong.)

I peddled up to the yard where the kids were.
"Jeez, took ya long enough." said Peter.
"Yeah yeah, what did you ask your grandpa
to try and scare me?" I said to him.
Then I gestured across the street,
to where the old man was by the park.
"What are you talking about?
Just hurry up already it's starting to get dark."

I looked up at the house.
It stood at two stories high.
It looked somewhat mysterious
and about one hundred years old.
The place looked dull and rather ominous
under the now completely dark grey sky.
But just then, something caught my eye.

(Did I just see something in the window?)
Then I thought I heard that old
man's voice whisper "Don't Go".
I shuddered.
( Damn, I need to chill.
That was just my imagination
 and a wind blow.)

"What's wrong Seth, getting scared?"
said one of the boys.
"Tch. I'm gonna go in there
Like I was dared to do."
Then I'll prove this story
is full of it Jared."

I wasnt gonna look like a spineless louse.
Not when I've come this far.
So I summoned up every last ounce
of courage, took a deep breath,
and I entered the house....

I boldly entered the house
and shut the door behind me.
The first thing I noticed was that
the place was dark and extremely dusty.
I could tell it's been abandoned for a long time.
I looked all around me.
Off to the right was a decayed and aged kitchen.
I sneezed.
(Dammit, this place is an allergy nightmare.
Of course it had to be moldy.)

To the left was a large living room.
With most of the furniture gone.
There was an old rocking chair,
a small table, and a grandfather clock
that looked like it just didnt belong.

Glancing down the hall I see two doors.
I assme they are bedrooms.
And at the end of the hall are a set of stairs
leading to the top floors.
This place, although pretty roomy,
has a sad and chilling feel to it.
(I gotta hold it together.
I can't bug out just because
this house is gloomy.)

With each step these ancient floors creaked.
Not to mention from the ceiling water leaked.
I slowly make my way down the hall.
(I won't stay long.
Just long enough to prove once and for all
this place is just an empty,
decrepit old building
that couldnt harm a fly.)
I look up and notice there's writing on the wall.

Mostly just undescribable scribble and
what looks like a child's hand prints.
All of which was written in an eerie blood red.
From down the hall I hear a child's cries.
(Holy ***. That was weird.
It's ok...just my imagination.)
I slowly walk down the hall to the bedroom.
Nervously I peer inside...
All I see are toys scattered about
all over the floor and a bed.
I sigh, ( I knew it was nothing.)
As I turn my head and start to leave
I thought I saw a gleaming pair of eyes.

And with that I was done.
I tore towards the door
as fast as I could run.

Just then the house began to quake.
As I ran down the hall the floor
had started to violently shake.
I then realized coming here was a big mistake.
There's blood coming down the walls.
(Oh my God the walls are bleeding!
Why didn't I listen to the old man's heeding?)

I grab the front door's handle and turn.
But it won't budge an inch.
I throw my weight against it
but it just won't open.
Why it wouldnt open I couldnt discern.

Suddenly from behind me I hear a voice.
I didnt want to look but I had no choice.
At the end of the hall something
was descending from the stairs.
It was a tall menacing figure standing
at about seven feet tall,
and wearing a long black cloak.
And it was moving directly towards me.
(Please, someone. This has to be a sick joke.)
I couldnt see it's face.
Under the hood I could see only black.
It's now at the base
of the stairs and coming
toward me at a steady pace.
And I was frozen in place.

Too consumed by fear to move an inch.
It was holding in one boney hand
a razor sharp scythe.
I could see it's foggy breath.
(Oh my God, this thing looks like Death!)
"Seth....."

I gasped.
"Seth..." It said in a dry raspy voice.
I let out a blood curdling scream.
My heart began to race
and I pushed, kicked, and rammed
the door with much haste.
All I knew was,
there was not another
second I could waste.

I screamed through the door.
Begging my friends for help.
I looked back and the reaper was
making it's way across the floor.
There's no way in hell I wanna see
what this thing has in store.

It was now just feet away.
And it extended a boney,
decayed hand toward me.
(NO! I'm not going this way.
You won't have me this day!)
With one last desperate attempt.
I flung myself at the door.
It burst open and I ran
screaming down the street.
As fast as my feet could bring me retreat.

I escaped with my life.
Needless to say I've changed
my opinion of ghosts.
Still to this day I've never returned.
I guess you could say lesson learned.