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.