The Spooky Chronicles: Schoolhouse Number Five

By Kevin A. Ranson

Abandoned for years and recently condemned, there is renewed interest in restoring Schoolhouse Number Five as yet another historical River City museum. After an incident threatens to derail the project, “Spooky” Spencer Lawson and a team of paranormal investigators make a startling discovery: the schoolhouse prefers to be left alone.

Meet Spooky, a dead little boy continuing to grow up. He goes to school, likes taking pictures in cemeteries, and doesn’t breathe. Accidentally starting the zombie apocalypse is his biggest fear, but it’s not his biggest problem.

The Spooky Chronicles is a book series about a child who comes back to life as a zombie but is still getting older. Having already overcome personal tragedy in his life, his unique condition makes him aware of (and draws him into) a secret, paranormal underworld he never asked to be a part of (but still thinks is pretty cool).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kevin A. Ranson
• Release date: Mar 4, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466164437

Kevin A. Ranson

Creator, Writer, Critic Heeding a macabre calling listening to "Mother Ghost Nursery Rhymes" in kindergarten, Kevin started writing in grade school and filled up countless notebooks with story ideas while touring the Mediterranean in the US Navy. He is the author of The Spooky Chronicles and the vampire thriller series The Matriarch Vampires, creator/critic for MovieCrypt.com and "ghost writer" for horror host Grim D. Reaper, and has numerous credits in the role-playing game industry. His author blog is at ThinkingSkull.com. Abridged Credits & Works Books – The Spooky Chronicles (ongoing series), The Matriarch Vampires (ongoing series) Contributor – MovieCrypt.com, Guy.com, DarkMedia.com Anthologies – 66 Tales of Terror RolePlaying – The Fantasy Roleplaying Gamer’s Bible 2nd Edition, “Shards of the Stone CORE” RPG, Kindling Moon “Rulebook & Realmbook”

Book preview

The Spooky Chronicles: Schoolhouse Number Five

By Kevin A. Ranson

Copyright 2012 Kevin A. Ranson

Smashwords Edition

This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinion of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This ebook may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Copyediting by Brett J. Link

Proofreading by Linda S. Cowden

ISBN: 978-1-4661-6443-7

The Spooky Chronicles

http://SpookyChronicles.com

A Thinking Skull Creation

http://ThinkingSkull.com

Contents

1 - Dead-Eyed Stare

2 - Razing the Roof

3 - High Emotions

4 - Mode of Transportation

5 - Covert Ops

6 - Holding On

7 - Charcoal and Sulfur

8 - Sight Unseen

9 - A Creative Spark

10 - The Blame Game

Chapter 1 - Dead-Eyed Stare

Here you are, Spencer, Mrs. Strain said as she handed Spooky a full glass of water. Are you sure you won't have something to eat? I made plenty.

Seated at the end of the dining room table at Donny's house, Spooky watched his new friend inhale bite after bite of mac 'n cheese and something that looked like pieces of sliced meat swimming in barbecue sauce. Was he even tasting it?

I'm good, thanks, Spooky finally answered. Something at lunch didn't agree with me. The food, for one thing, Spooky thought.

The dining room of the Strain's house was much like the other rooms in it: one or two pieces of furniture surrounded by stacks of unpacked moving boxes. Donny's parents had recently divorced, his mom having left his dad. It looked like they just moved in, but at the same time it seemed as if they could be getting ready to leave at a moment's notice.

As Donny continued to attack his food before it could escape his plate, Spooky watched politely as Mrs. Strain fixed herself a small plate of vegetables that looked more like a side dish than an entire meal for an adult. She seated herself across from her son and arranged her utensils next to her plate as though they needed to be placed just right.

Spooky had been watching television with Donny, waiting for when Mrs. Strain came home from her office job (by the look of her clothes). After dropping a messenger bag and portfolio into a nearby chair, she'd hugged her son lovingly and immediately started preparing dinner, just like the way he remembered his own mom used to. She was pretty, too, like his mom had been, with dark auburn hair that came down to her shoulders, and something about the way her blouse fit reminded him of....

Dude! Donny shouted.

Spooky jumped, almost spilling his water. What?

You're staring at my mom!

No I'm not!

Spooky swallowed hard and looked back toward Mrs. Strain. He couldn't help but like the way she smirked at him (at least she wasn't