The Glenmore Haunting

by Daniel Jansen-Conkey, 13, USA

Eight-year old John Butler was putting the finishing touches on the helmet of his "Humanoid Alien Destroyer" costume. Downstairs he could still hear his 16-year old brother, Alex, arguing with their parents.

"But, Mom, I don't want to take care of him.  I planned to go to the high school Halloween party with Shawnda and I don't want two eight-year olds tagging along. Why can't they go by themselves -- aren't they old enough?"

"I said you are going with them," his mother replied.  "I don't care what you want or had planned.  Remember what happened the last time they were left on their own? As I recall, you went off with Shawnda, and they nearly wound up in the hospital."

"But, Mom, it will be so boring having them tag along -- we'll have to stop at every single house for candy and then when we get halfway across town they'll start whining that their bags are too heavy and Shawnda and I will have to carry them home.  We'll miss all the fun and excitement."

At this point Alex's Dad stepped in. "Quit thinking about yourself and start taking some responsibility.  This is the first chance your Mother and I have had to go out in months.  I'm sure it's the same with the Wongs.  You are responsible for your brother and his friend, Jake Wong, and that's final!"

The ringing of the doorbell interrupted any further protests.  "I'll get it," said Alex sulkily.

"Hi, Shawnda," he said, his face lighting up.  "What a neat costume.  You're Kitana, off of Mortal Kombat, right?"

Fifteen-year old Shawnda Wong smiled, her dark eyes sparkling.  "Uh-huh -- of course, since I was dressing as a Mortal Kombat character, Jake decided he had to dress as one too -- meet 'Reptile.'  And I see that you're 'Beast of the X-men.'  I think he's so cute with his blue fur. Well, I guess we'd better get started -- we don't want to be out all night.  Where's John?"

Alex jerked a thumb upward.  "He's upstairs finishing his helmet -- though I have to admit it's a pretty neat costume, especially considering he made it himself," Alex said grudgingly.  "He's got a pulsar cannon strapped to his back that lights up and shoots ping pong balls.  He's been annoying me with it all week."

John came bounding down the stairs.  "Is it time to leave yet?  Hey, Jake, cool 'Reptile' costume. You've got a great 'Kitana' costume too, Shawnda.  Come on, let's go, I can't wait to get out and get a lot of candy!"

"Okay, okay, might as well get this over with," Alex sighed, grabbing the flashlights off the hall table and escorting everyone out the door.

Two hours later found them halfway across town.  "Gee, Shawnda, I'm surprised they haven't asked us to carry their bags yet -- they look pretty heavy.  I'm tired, why aren't they?"  Actualy, the evening hadn't been too bad;  he had been able to chat with Shawnda while John and Jake scurried from house to house Trick-or-Treating. He had been enjoying her company.

"It is getting late, and starting to get cold," Shawnda replied.  "What do you say we head for home, guys?" she asked.

"Not yet!" Jake and John said together.  "We're not tired, it's not that late, can't we stay out a little longer?" they begged.

"All right, I'll tell you what." Alex grinned.  "We'll stay out longer," he paused, pointing down the street, "if you'll go into the old Glenmore House on the hill."

Jake and John looked at each other, eyes wide.  Everyone knew the Glenmore House was haunted!  There was no end to the number of spooky stories about strange things that had happened there.  No one went in there in broad daylight, much less in the dark of a Halloween night!

John swallowed nervously.  "Okay, but you and Shawnda have to go in with us."

Jake quickly seconded that idea.

Alex agreed, firmly believing that by the time they got to the overgrown front gates that both boys would have scared themselves into wanting to go home immediately. Shawnda looked at him questioningly, none too anxious to approach the house either. Alex grinned at her and winked, then squeezed her hand as they started up the hill.