The End

In a small town, rumors always spread, stories wander and legends always howl trying to be heard, the careful will be attentive and the distracted will suffer the consequences—said the old woman with a lost look—the children couldn't help but laugh a little, Mrs. Madeline was a lady around 80 years old who had been born and raised in the strange town of Haxville, she had totally white matted hair and her clothes looked worn from so many years of use. No one disrespected her in the town but people never take her seriously as she always told the same stories with a tone of astonishment and caution, as if it were the first time she had heard them and as if she knew her bad ending at the same time.

—Yes, yes, Mrs. Madeline, we'll keep an eye open and we'll come back to see if your cat is around—Thomas said. In some part because he already wanted to let her alone and for another part because he got goosebumps because of the story.

The lady just nodded and continued rocking in her wooden chair on the porch, the children started their way taking their bikes and heading to Thomas's house. He was the leader of the group, not so much because of some aspect of his personality, but he was the one with the biggest house and the most distracted parents, which made it the perfect place for their meetings.

—Don't you guys feel chills after talking to that old woman—Sean asked with a hint of annoyance.

—Why does she have to tell us those stories, we all know they're not real, she should go to an asylum now—After a couple of bad looks from his friends, he added—You know we only go to her house to see tuna and this time he wasn't even there— he exclaimed, feeling somewhat embarrassed with his friends.

—It's either that or you're afraid of Madeline's stories— says Evelyn, who was one of the smallest in the group.

—I never said that, it just seems stupid to me.

—I think she scares you.

And they all started humming at the same time buk, buk, buk. Sean's cheeks turned red and he felt a heat in his ears from the anger he was feeling. After a while the humming stopped and they continued on their way to Thomas' house. When they finally arrived, they parked their bikes in front of the house, and quickly ran to the house because it had started to rain. The air felt cold and there was a faint smell of wet grass and humidity.

—What are we going to do today?—Said Evelyn, who was Thomas's love interest. When he turned eleven he realized he liked Evelyn, he didn't want to show it but many of the group had already begun to notice.

—What do you want to do?— Thomas asked.

—I just wanted to see tuna and we couldn't even see him, today really sucks —She said while playing with her hair disinterestedly.

—All because of those stupid old woman's stories— Sean reproached again.

—We all know you can't stop trembling thinking about those stories— Oliver answered this time, although he was the quietest of the group, his comments never went unnoticed. Sean rolled his eyes and crossed his arms in annoyance.

—If you're not afraid why not show it—Leah said. She was the biggest of the group and without a doubt the boldest she liked to get into trouble and she was pretty smart for her age.The atmosphere got a little tense but everyone's attention was on Leah and her proposal so she continued, —Even I'm sick of Mrs. Madeline's stories why don't we put one to the test and then tell her that nothing happened so it will stop once and for all—she said, proud of her plan.

—I like the idea—Oliver says.

Evelyn gave Thomas a look to see what he would say when Thomas realized it he quickly replied, —Yeah, it could be fun...what do you think Evelyn.