Chapter 2 - An Amazing Discovery

Rose was sitting on her bed, scared and alone, because Mother did not really mind what she did, as long as it was not disrespectful, naughty, irresponsible or rude.

Mother just let them do their own thing, really.

The minutes ticked by: 6:00…6:15…6:20.

Rose was getting really worried, when ‘BANG!’

The front door had burst open abruptly, and a loud yell filled the house “ROSE, ROSE, RO- OH YOU WON’T BELIEVE- ROSE GET DOWN HERE NOW!”

Then mothers voice echoed down the hallways:

”CAI JULIAN BUSTENBURG, USE YOUR INSIDE VOICE PLEASE!”

Mother’s way of addressing them when they broke a rule was using their full name.

Rose leapt up from her bed, flew down the staircase, and ran to the front door.

“What is it Cai, are you hurt? Are you safe? Are you breathing? What did you see? What happened? Did a spider attack you? Did a monster bite you?” She said in a worried and panicked voice.

“Calm down Rose, listen, I have seen something awe-struck, you have to come to the house, I, I can’t explain, that’s why you have to come.”

“OK,” Rose whispered, sounding very scared, “I’ll come.”

The walk down the street took about five minutes, but it may as well have been five years. Rose was petrified.

When they finally got there, and opened the rusty, creaky gate, Rose was surprised at what she saw.

It was actually quite nice, but she had never seen a bigger house, well it was actually more of a mansion! It was about five stories high, painted dark blue, encrusted with gold flowers, and the house also had vines and ivy growing around it.

“Come on, let’s go inside.” Cai said eagerly.

Rose gulped, and walked beside her brother, clutching his hand.

Rose and Cai stepped onto the front porch, and Cai turned the doorknob, the door creaked open, and the two siblings stepped inside, and Rose gasped, it was nothing compared to the outside luxuries, and she certainly did not expect it, the place was a wreck, floorboards sticking out of the ground, furniture ripped and snapped, photo frames cracked.

All of a sudden, Rose heard a noise behind her, turned around automatically, and screamed at what she saw.

The House on Maple Street

Chapter 1 - The Dreaded House

“Come on chicken, dare you!” Billy Crocker said in his harsh, menacing voice, pointing to the old, run-down cottage.

The sun was setting beautifully; you could just see it over the mountain.

“Rose and Cai are chickens, Rose and Cai are chickens!” Billy chanted triumphantly, once they did not respond.

“Maybe I will, it all depends…” Cai said thoughtfully.

“Don’t be stupid Cai.” Pleaded Rose.

She walked over to her brother and grabbed his wrist, adding to Billy, “Leave us alone, Crock-face!”

She dragged her brother away from Billy, and towards their house, it was getting late.

“Why is Billy so mean to us?” whined Cai, sounding annoyed.

“Because he’s just a big bully, Cai, and don’t keep asking silly questions!” Rose snapped, although for the fifth time this week, she too was having the same thoughts.

“Well, I’ve had enough, and now I’m not going to stand for it!” Cai said, even though he didn’t sound that sure.

Rose groaned and rolled her eyes.

“What on earth could you possibly do, Cai?”

Cai fumbled with his jacket zip for a moment, then said “Well, I, um, well I was sort of thinking that I could, well, maybe go into the cottage.”

“Ha ha ha very funny Cai.” Rose said in a sarcastic tone.

She paused for a moment, then said “you’re, er, not serious, are you?”

“Well, yes.” Then seeing the look on his sister’s face, he added, “Oh, come on Rose, what could possibly happen?”

But his sister gave him one of her Don’t-be-stupid-and-I-don’t-approve looks.

“Look,” Cai said angrily, “no-ones forcing you to come, just tell Mum I’ve gone for a walk, OK?”

“But,” Rose protested, “no-one has lived there in years, and there could be coffins, rats, mad people, or, s-s-spiders!”

It was clearly etched into Roses face that she hated spiders, but Cai had known that for years, and this conversation had gone on for too long and was beginning to get absolutely ridiculous.

“Bye!” Cai said starting to walk towards the dreaded cottage.

“But-“Rose started anxiously, but Cai just smiled and waved, and said ”see you in ten!”

So, Rose started the long journey home, wondering if she would ever see her brother again.