The Pied Piper

Chapter One

[Elizabeth's POV]

"Living in a new house is already weird enough, but living in a haunted house...now that's just horrible." I said to my Mom.

She laughed at me. "This house is not haunted! What would even make you think that?"

"Hmm...well let me think. Uh, the random creepy noises, the light turning off all by itself, and the fact that whenever I'm alone I feel like someone is watching me!" I reasoned to her.

She laughed again. "It's all in your head my dear. I bet you just forgot you turned off the light, and old houses like this creak, it's just the floorboards." She explained.

As if on cue the floor beneath us creaked, and we felt the panels move.

I motioned to the floors, "See! That's not normal."

"Oh calm down will you? That's completely normal, the floor boards are just expanding from the heat." My mom said sounding annoyed.

I stuck my tongue out at her. "You have a scientific answer for everything don't you?" I quipped.

"Yes, yes I do. Now I need to leave for work, but please unpack some boxes while I'm gone. Don't make this another bum summer." she pleaded as she headed for the door.

"Okay, I won't. But if you come home and find me dead just know I warned you about the ghosts." I called to her.

She glared at me from the doorway. "Bye. Love you."

She shut the door, and left me to myself in the lonely house. Well...not completely lonely.

"Kitten? Kitten where are you?" I cooed down the empty halls.

Last time I checked my mom's kitten was in my room sleeping on my bed. This was confirmed when I heard her bell chime from down the hall.

I figured she was coming to me until I heard the bell stop. Then I heard a loud hiss.

That's strange, I thought. I've never heard her make that sound before.

She hissed again, and now it sounded like she was fighting something.

Okay, that's enough of this. I turned to face the hallway, and as I took my first step I saw the flurry of gray fluff running to me.

"Where's the fire little one?" I say picking up the cat.

"Ooh! You're so cold. Why are you shaking?" I say petting the shivering animal.

I put her back down, and watch her run to the front door. She paws at it, and meows persistently to be let out.

"No baby girl, I can't let you out. You're too young." I say.

Eventually she gives up and lays down, burying her head underneath her paws.

For the rest of the day I built up a sweat putting away boxes, and unpacking things around the house.

Around 6pm my mom came through the front door with McDonalds bags in hand.

"I brought you dinner." she called from the front room.

I met her in the dining room peeking into the bag.

"So what'd you get done today?" asked my mom resting her hands on her hips.

"Uhhh..." I began. "I got rid of the boxes in the living room, all I have left is this one full of yours and dad's wedding china."

My mom froze at the mention of my dad. She shut her eyes tightly.

"Elizabeth, um, just put that box in the garage." she said between gritted teeth.