I quickly drew the curtains of the window. My heart did a flip-flop. Who was it? Was it the mad man? Gathering courage, I drew the curtain aside. There was no one outside. Somewhere, a dog gave a savage howl. My head was spinning. I climbed into my bed. Tommy was fast asleep beside me . It was very cold and his warm coat was very soothing. The alarm went off by 6:30. My mother was dressing Nick for school. I rolled my eyes. Making new friends was the biggest task for me. I looked out of the window. It was snowing. A hand touched the window from the other side. I stepped away in surprise. 'Kat, kat ,' said mom. 'Yes,' i said. 'I called you thrice. Are you ok?,' she asked. I nodded. 'I have been chosen as an apointee in Sofia's parlour,' said mom adjusting Nick's tie. Wow,' i exclaimed. 'The parlour is close to your school. i will pick you up after 1:00,' she said. The school looked boring and uninviting. 'Have a good day,' said mom with a big smile on her face. 'Same to you,' I muttered under my breath. I saw a gang of girls staring at me. One of them had a blonde hair.She was gorgeous. I lowered my eyes as I passed them. 'Are you Katherine Williams?,' called someone . I turned back. I stood face to face with a stout woman dressed in black from head to toe. She was wearing a bright red lipstick and had a boycut.. She looked somewhat in mid-thirties. 'I am your class teacher, Mrs.Berett. Come with me,' she said. I followed her obediently. She gestured towards the classroom. As i stepped into the class, i heard whispers. My face glowed red. I got seated on one of the back benches. At break, the blonde came to my seat. Her gang followed her. 'You live in the haunted house, right?,' she questioned. 'No, I live in Lovely Villa,' I replied. She rolled her eyes. 'Don't try to be friends with us'. 'I can find better friends than you,' I replied. 'The ghost must be a good friend. Don't act smart,' she sneered. 'You----,' i started. 'Bella, Jason is calling you,' said someone. I saw the blonde's eyes gleam with joy. She started jumping as if Jason was a celebrity. She quickly ran away. The gang scurried and i was relieved. I had misplaced the locker keys that were handed to me by Mrs.Berett. i had to search the whole classroom and found them in my jeans pocket. Blow! I got a sound scolding from Mrs.Berett. 'You are an irresponsible child!' 'How was your day?,' asked mom on our way back home. 'Superb!,' exclaimed Nick. 'I made two new friends.' 'What about you, dear?,' she asked me. 'None,' I muttered. 'You will get adjusted soon,' she reassured. 'I don't think so. Girls don't want to be friends with me cause' we live in a haunted house. They gasp at me as if i was the ghost!' 'Nonsense! The villa is as lovely as the name suggests' As i passed the lake, my eyes searched for the mad man. But there ws no sign of him. I was so relieved. A jackdaw crowed somewhere. The sky was covered by dark clouds. There was some sort of stillness in the air. I felt as if the wind was whispering something evil into my ears. I felt someone keeping an eye on me. Tommy greeted us with barks. After lunch, mom headed to the parlour again. Anita had messaged me. 'how was ur 1st day @ schl?' 'I didnt make a single friend.' 'Dats bad. i mis u . Anyway, hw was ur bday?' 'yup, i forgot to tel u. Mom gifted me a puppy.' 'Finally u got a pet dog. happy4 u. Howz Southampton?' 'Very boring. u hardly notice ppl on d streets & it snows d whole dae.'' I hesitated whether to mention the mad man to Anita or not. Better not! 'No shopping malls, theatres?' 'Nope' 'Then come back' 'I want 2 bt can't' Hmmm. I'm going to hv lunch. bye!' 'see you' I opened my laptop . I typed 'Real Ghost Stories" on Google. There was a story of Sophia Norms, 21. "Sophia had gone on a tour to Mexico. She desperately wanted a room to check in. She checked in a room in 'Starling Hotel'. The receptionise had warned her about the ghost in room no: 305. The room was locked forever after a couple was found hanging from the fan. Many peple had witnessed the ghost in the room. The room was unavailable. The receptionist handed Sohia the keys as she wantes to spend only a night at the hotel . The next morning, 15th February, Sophia was found in the bath tub covered in blood. Big letters 'Don't dare to enter this room were scribbled on the floor. After this incident, the hotel was closed forever. After few days, the receptionist was missing!" I shuddered. What a story! 'Kat, I and Grandma are going for a walk by the lake,' said Grandpa. I panicked. 'No, don't go there. It's not safe. The la- la- lake has frozen right? So,So w-what if it gives away if y-y-you try to walk on it. You will fall,' I stammered and bit my tongue for uttering nonsense. Grandpa was shocked. He came close to me and placed his hand on my forehead. I rolled my eyes. 'I don't have fever,' I said pushing his hand away. 'Then you are you talking rubbish? Why would I walk on ice?' I was a fool. I just didn't want my grandparents to meet the mad man or else they would be scared. Very scared! Nick was watching "Spongebob and the squarepants'. Tommy was fast asleep. I made hot cocoa for myself and noodles for Nick. I sat on the sofa sipping it. 'Don't make that noise,' Yelled Nick. My grandparents didn't meet the mad man. They sounded very happy after the walk. I smiled. So far, everything was alright. Night came. I thought about the shadow I had seen the last night. Maybe i imagined it. I dozed off! At midnight, I jumped when I heard music outside my room. Scary music which could give you the goosebumps! Tommy was in Nick's room. I climbed out of my bed and headed to the hallway. My eyes soon got adjusted to the moonlight streaming through the windows. I lloked towards the locked room. The music didn't seem to be coming from there. I tiptoed to the kitchen. Mugs and plates lay on the surface cold and stained by tea. Water was leaking into the sink and every time a drop af water fell, an echo passes around the house. I could feel the coldness from the musty orange and black tiled floor even though i was wearing slippers. The library! I turned the knob and pushed against the door. The door opened with a creak. The music was very loud here. I covered my ears with my hands. I looked around. It was pitch dark. There was no window in the library. I couldn't see any music player or the source from which the music was being played. The music wae defeaning me. Suddenly the music stopped. I could hear my heartbeats. Silence filled the room. The curtains in the kitchen danced in the wind which was strange as all the windows were locked and no breeze could come in. The tap was dripping. DRIP! DRIP! DRIP! My head hurt. I closed the door of the library and headed to my room. The pain in the head was unbearable. 'Kat,' someone whispered. I jumped. I paused and looked around. 'Who's there?,' my voice came out in a whisper. No answer. I rushed to my room and fell into the bed. I leaped into unconsiousness. Next morning, I felt as if i dreamt about the music, maybe a nightmare! It was snowing heavily. I put on my jacket and buttened it up. Bella greeted me with a wicked smile. 'Hey babes, did you say 'hi' to the ghost from my side?' 'yeah, it said that it is coming to spend a night at your home as it is bored of Lovely Villa,' I said hiding my laughter. The color on her faced faded. She turned white. 'UH-OH meet you later,' she said and stomped away. I smiled. Serves her right. 'Hello, I'm Jason,' said someone. I turned back and went blank for a second. I saw a thin boy waving to me. He had dark brown hair- cut short and light blue eyes. He was wearing a crimson red T-shirt and a pale blue jacket over it. He was the cutest guy i had ever seen. 'Hi. I'm Katherine- er- Katherine Williams,' I babbled. He flashed a smile. I could feel butterflies in my stomach. 'I know'. 'You must also be knowing that i live in ahaunted house?,' i joked even though i have a bad sense of humour. He looked confused. 'No, i don't believe in ghosts. We shifted to Southampton before two years. I don't know much about this place. Only that it snows all the time,' he said maintaining hi smile. I nodded feeling like a joker in front of him. 'Nice to meet you.' Mrs.Berett entered the class and Jason hurried to his bench. 'Jason is looking hot,' said Bella to one of her friends. 'Not hot. Actually cool,' said the brunette. They both laughed and i rolled my eyes. 'I am planning to ask him out. A date,' whispered Bella. 'I know he would never say no to me.' Ilooked towards Jason. He was indulged in his work. Mrs.Berett completed taking the attendance. 'I hope you all the completed the homework,' she said. Blow! I had forgotten about the homework.I was made to stand outside the class. I was feeling low after standing out for two hours. Jason consoled me at lunch break but i was in no mood to listen to him. As i was leaving school, Bella blocked my way. 'You nerd. How come you and Jason are friends now?' 'Don't talk nonsense and move away,' i said. 'YOU have to listen to me. I don't want to see you near him,' she screamed and gave a hard blow in my stomach. That hurt. I cried in pain. I didn't imagine Bella would turn out a bully. School sucks! I walked home silently fighting back tears. Suddenly, the mad man appeared in front of me. He was gasping for air and looked terrifeied. 'I and my wife are going to die. It's coming after us,' he shouted, rolling his head. 'You did this,' he cried beating his chest. 'What are you saying? You are mad,' I yelled moving away from him. I tripped and fell down. He grabbed my arm and twisted it. 'Aah,' I screamed. 'Leave me, help! Help!,' I cried. There was no one around us. He smiled wickedly.'You will die along with us.' 'No!,' I cried. I struggled to break free but his grip was firm. 'Leave the house- leave the house,' he yelled tightening the grip. I let out a cry of pain. I bit his hand. HE released my arm and I ran away. 'Wait, wait,' he yelled. I was panic striken. I ran as fast as i could. I heard footsteps behind me. 'Go away!,' I screamed at the top of my voice without looking back. The footsteps died. Still, I kept on running -stumbling and falling- on my way. At last, i reached home and gave Tommy a tight hug. I felt safe. 'Dear, why are you crying?,' asked Grandpa. 'Is Nick home,' I asked. 'Yes, but wha----,' he started. 'I had a fight,' I repliedand stomped away. I was pretty scared after this incident. I decided to tell my mom about him the next day. She will hand him over to the police. He won't disturb me again. At dinner, mom asked me lot of questions. 'who was that?' I didn't reply. 'Why did you fight?' I kept on munching the food. 'Kat, I'm talking to you,' she said placing her hand on my shoulder. I flinched. I finished my food and headed to my room. Mom stared at me blankly. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I imagined the mad man clutching my hand and twisting it. I stared at the deep cut on my arm. I shivered. I wished not to meet that man again. I thought about Bella. Today was one of the worst days of my life. I wanted to go back to Nihawara. I washed my father was alive. So many wishes which could not be fulfilled. I fought back tears and dozed off. At night, I heard the music again. I gasped for breath. I was not dreaming. I checked out the time. 11:45. Sweat rolled down my forehead. 'Who is playing that music?,' I asked to myself. I put on my slippers and climbed out of my bed. The music was very low and scary like the previous nighe. I clicked on the torch that I found in my closet. Tom was in Nick's room. If he was there with me, his barks would have brought the whole house down. The library door seemed to be locked from inside. I was shacking badly from head to toe. I twisted the knob-this way- that way no use. The door stood there, still and strong. Suddenly, the music stopped. I gave up and started heading to my room. I umped when i heard a noise behind me. I tuned back and gasped when i saw the door open. How did this door open?
The alarm went off at 6:00. My head ws spinning. I got out of my bed. Mom was busy in the kitchen. I looked at the library. I tried the knob and the door opened easily. Maybe another nightmare. I thought of telling about the man to my mom. 'Mom-----,' I started. Grandpa interrupted me. 'Mary, come here. Look at today's news,' he said. She washed her hands and headed to the den. I rolled my eyes and followed her. I heard Grandpa whispering to mom. She had a worried expression. 'Oh no, that's sad,' moaned mom. I grabbed the newspaper and read the headlines. An Old Man Drowned In Southampton's Lake 'One of the walkers saw that the ice was missing from the middle of the lake and reported it to the police. On reaching the site, The police was shocked to find a dead body frozen below the waters. It took lot of efforts to remove the body as the ice would give away at any moment. No traces of violence was found on the body. THe man was recognised as Petes Gomes. The police is still investigating the case. The police had no evidence to conclude it as a murdea or a suicide. The lake has been completely sealed. His wife, Sarah Gomes was shocked by her husband's unexpected death. ' My eyes were glued to the photogragh of the man. His eyes- he was cross eyed. My heartbeat raced. My palm was covered in sweat. The newspaper slipped from my hand. The mad man is dead! I stared at my mom in horror. 'Mom, d-do you know him? 'He's Sarah's husband, our daily.' I recalled the man's words. 'I will warn my wife to stay away from you..... I and My wife are going........You......' 'Kat, are you alright?,' asked mom. I nodded. My wish had come true. The man is no more. He won't trouble me now. Never! Of course, it was an accident. But how did he predict his death? Is there a ghost in this house? Is Sarah going to die too? No. No. Many questions were running across my mind for which I had no answers. 'H.....,' started Jason. 'Jason, leave me alone,' i said upset. W-why?,' he asked. Did i upset you? I didn't reply. He sounded so sad that i wanted to tell him the truth about Bella. I saw Bella staring at us from the corner of my eyes. 'Go away,' i screamed. He was shocked but obeyed me. After school, i ran into Bella. 'Hey, babes' I started moving away ignoring her. She blocked my way. 'I saw you talking with him,' she said chewing a bubblegum. 'I asked him to go away, that's all,' I said. 'Good, remember the punch?,' she threatened with clenching fists. 'I----,' I started. 'Oh, so that's why she was behaving wierdly.' I saw Jason coming from behind the locker. J-Jason, d-did you hear----,' babbled Bella. 'Yeah, i heard everything. How you punched Bella. Will you explain?,' asked Jason. Poor Bella. I saw the color drain out of her face.'Punch?,' she asked innocently her eyes burning into mine. Uh-,' I beagan. 'keep quiet, Kat,' said Jason. No friend of mine had ever called me Kt. 'You answer me,' he said to Bella. 'Fine. I am just jealous when i see you talking with other girls. I like you. so----' 'Now you listen. I don't like you. I don't like girls who trouble others,' he said rudely. Bella stared at him open mouthed. She ran away crying. Jason turned to me and smiled. I noticed his dimples. 'Hey, may i walk you home?,' he asked. 'No thanks,' i replied. 'Oh, please,' he said making a puppy face. I nodded. 'My father lives out of town. He hardly gets time to come and meet us,' he said ' what about yours?' 'He's no more,' i muttered. 'I'm sorry. Really sorry'. 'No problem.' I changed the topic and told him about the gifts i got on my birthday. 'When is your birthday?' 'Jan 10' 'Your birhday is on next month. So you are inviting me to your party now that we are friends.' I stopped when i saw the lake in front of me. Jason waved his hands. 'Are you ok?,' he asked. Inodded. 'I would like to invite you but i don't throw parties,' he said making a 'duh' face. 'Why?,' i demanded. 'On my last birthday, i was sick. On my lat to last birthday, i was busy with the exams. On my lat to last to last birthday, i was down with dengue,' he said laughing. 'You have got a long history of worse things happening on your birthday,' i said laughing. We reached home. 'Oh man, I'm late. I better hurry home,' he said checking out the time. He waved goodbye breaking into a jog. Mom was already home. 'Sarh quit,' said mom. 'That's bad,' replied Grandma. Mom saw me coming in. 'Hello, Kat,' she greeted me. Since, i did not sleep well the previous night, i took an afternoon nap, a peaceful nap. When i woke up, the house was silent. I found a note pinned to the fridge. 'Mom has gone to the parlour.Nick has gone to his friend's house. I and grandpa are going for a walk. We will be back in an hour.' -Grandma So i was alone. I felt like the kid in HOME ALONE. Then i remembered Tommy. There was no yapping. Maybe, he went out with my grandparents. How wiere they are. Want a walk in such a weather. I looked at the library and the scary music floated into my mind. Gathering courage, i went to check it out. The door opened with a high pitched creak. I put on the light and checked out the books.Most of them looked boring. There were biographies of poets and presidents and other great people. The books gave a musty smell. I picked up a book on 'Abhram Lincoln' and sat on the floor to read it. I got bored within few minutes. 'Kat, are you awake?,' called Grandpa. Grandpa has returned? i quickly replaced the book and headed to the hall. But there was no Grandpa
