The Haunted Hangman

Chapter 1

Harry and I walked along the bank of the canal, stating across the broad expanse of sluggish water. The canal was less than half full, and the tide lapped against the concrete sides. It was a lonely sound.

The sun was dipping low in the evening sky, sliding behind the apartment blocks that towered on the opposite bank. Dozens of lights shone in their windows as families came home and sat down to dinner.

On our side of the canal, small factories and workshops had closed down for the day. The shadowed streets were deserted. Behind them, more apartment blocks marched into the distance.

Ahead, on the fridge of a small park, we could see the narrow pedestrian bridge that crossed the canal. But there was no sign of Niall or Liam.

"I wonder where they are?" Harry speculated, checking his watch. "It's five past seven already. They should have been here by now."

We stopped by the bridge and leaned on three metal safety railing. Murky water slopped and slapped as it passed beneath the footbridge.

"We shouldn't have come," I said. "I mean, I want to see a ghost but not down here. It's too spooky."

"Both of them were just so lame," Harry argued in disgust. "It was their idea to come down, and now they've chickened out."

"Well, if you want to know what I think," I began, not wanting for Harry's reply. "I don't think there are any ghosts under the bridge. It said in a book that ghosts never go near water. They're scared of getting wet."

No sooner had I said the words than an eerie groan drifted up from the shadows beneath the bridge.

"Ooooooooohhhhhhhh...."

I jumped back from the railing with my heart pounding.

Harry clutched my wrist. "Louis! Did you hear that?" he whispered in terror. "That's a ghost. It has to be. That's what ghosts always sound like in the movies."

A moment later we heard a giggling sound, and Liam's head poked out from under the bridge. "Hi boys! Not scared, are you?"

"You idiot!" I yelled at him. "I suppose you think you're being funny."

Then Niall's head appeared, a silly grin on his face. "Hey, come on down."

Harry glared at him. "How?" he yelled.

"If you climb through the railing, you'll see there are steps in the side of the bank. Just don't slip, that's all," he added in warning. "They're a bit muddy."

I leaned over the railing and saw the dim outline of steps in the concrete. "I'm not going there." I managed to say the words.

"Hey, we're boys remember? And don't worry, we'll catch you if you fall." taunted Liam.

"We're not scared." Harry hurled back, and slipped through a gap in the railings.

I followed, my heart in my mouth.

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