THE DARE
After I left the library, my fascination with the house had only heightened. I went to see my good friend, Mark, and shared with him all the macabre facts that I had just learned. He simply smiled, nodded and looked me straight into my eyes and whispered, “I bet you would not dare to spend the entire night there.”
I have to admit, the notion both terrified and fascinated me, but with the naivety and gusto of a twelve year old, I spat on my palms and Mark did likewise and we shook.
So there it was.
We had decided that Friday night would be the best. The plan was that Mark was going to leave me there at midnight and come back and get me in the morning.
I went to Mark’s house and he was eagerly waiting for me outside. I had with me a backpack containing two flashlights, a packet of mints and a good book. It was a warm, balmy, overcast night, and the moon shone hauntingly in the sky. I was beginning to have second thoughts about my decision. Still a bet was a bet, and I was afraid of many things, but ghosts weren't one of them. Or so I had thought….
Ten minutes later, we arrived at the house, which, as I had mentioned, even in daylight had an eeriness that excited and captured my imagination. However, on this dark, damp night, as I examined it with the straining light form my torch, it took on a whole new look. What also added to the terrifying affect is that the house backs onto a wood, and animals seemed to be cackling and hooting as if somehow attempting to warn me.
Mark shook my hand with a firmness, as if he believed it might be the last time he was ever going to see me. I slowly opened the front door and, I have to admit, I was petrified. I hesitated, finally took a deep breath and entered, slowly flashing my light about.
“See you in the morning!” Mark said nervously, still outside the door, then added in a hushed voice, “Are you sure you want to go through with this?”
I wasn't sure in the least, but I remember myself nodding. Mark raced off into the darkness to the safety and comfort of his bed.
I was alone… or so I hoped.
EXPLORING THE HOUSE
I decided that the first thing I needed to do was to inspect the house fully. It opened into a sitting room – the room where I planned to spend the night because it was closest to the door. I carefully and slowly walked to the back of the room, beyond an old brick fireplace and on into the first of the two bedrooms. The floorboards creaked and moaned at each step and echoed off the bare walls.
I suddenly felt something against my foot, and reflexively kicked it in panic as I shone my torch. Then I watched relieved as an empty beer bottle sped across the room and crashed against the fireplace. I tried to contain the jitters I was now feeling. I took several slow, deep, long breaths, and when my hands finally stopped shaking, I continued on and opened the bedroom door. Although the house was warm still from the hot summer day, this room contained a chill. As I peered in to the cracked ceilings and tattered walls, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up and I decided that I did not want to venture any further into it.
Several feet further down was the door to the second bedroom. I cautiously peered in this one as well. In the middle of the room was a broken crib, and I as I examined the peeling pink wallpaper, I imagined a baby girl sleeping tenderly and peacefully in here.
Then I saw it….
Next page: Face to face
