Halloween at Haversham House

By JP Marduk

Haversham House, for twelve-year-old Karen Holton could be described in two words: dusty and spooky. For her twin brother, Kirby, it was a new arena for his arsenal of pranks. When the school decides to hold its annual Halloween Ball in the newly occupied “haunted house” of the town, the twins are faced with their own different dilemmas: Karen just wants to be left alone and Kirby seems to be excited at the prospect of his crush coming to the party.
But what if there was another occupant in Haversham House who was interested in the party? Someone who didn’t come with the Holtons?
One thing is for sure, this would be a Halloween Ball they would never forget.
Extract:
Kirby looked around and saw nothing. He groped for the door and found it shut tight. He tried to twist the doorknob and found it stuck.
“We’re gonna die!” one of the boys gasped.
Kirby froze. The sobs turned louder by the minute until the incomprehensible words became clear.

• Language: English
• Publisher: 27th Dimension Publishing
• Release date: Oct 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9781618480590

Book preview

HALLOWEEN AT HAVERSHAM HOUSE

J P Marduk

All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental

Copyright © 2012 by 27th Dimension Publishing

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN: 978-1-61848-059-0

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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 person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter One

Kids, we’re here!

Kirby nudged his sister, Karen, smartly in the ribs, jolting her from her sleep. She glowered at him from beneath a fringe of dark hair and smoothed out her denim jacket.

Haversham House loomed before them in all its rundown glory. Mom looked at it like it was the house of her dreams; Karen secretly wondered if her sneakers would go through the old floorboards. It looked so old it might fall in on itself anytime soon.

Isn’t it wonderful? Mrs. Holton breathed, beaming from ear to ear as Mr. Holton pulled up to a stop in the driveway. Kirby rushed out the moment the engine died, his sneakers crunching on the dirt beneath them.

I get to choose rooms first! he called out as he dashed into the house.

Mrs. Holton looked at Karen, her smile less enthusiastic than before. Karen was the older of the twins and took her position seriously. What’s wrong, honey?

Her daughter blew out the fringe that covered her eyes constantly and met her mother’s eyes. Is it safe?

Mr. Holton laughed. Of course, it’s safe, hon! I know it looks old and all but it’s perfectly safe. I checked it out with a couple of authorities and engineers. Haversham House is built like a rock.

She pushed her glasses up her nose. I don’t know, Dad. I’m more worried about the non-rock parts…

Them, too, Dad twinkled.

Isn’t it great, Grant? Mom smiled. It looks like a little cleaning and a lot of love is all it needs.

Karen inwardly rolled her eyes at Mom’s rosy outlook. More like a lot of cleaning and a little love, she muttered to herself, leaving her parents to moon about the house.

She stepped into Haversham House quietly. The floors were tiled, which calmed her a bit. At least her feet were less likely to go through them.

Dad had gone through the house before they made the big move and did a little cleaning himself, it seemed. Despite the dilapidated look outside, the floor was clean and shiny. The windows looked like they needed a little washing, though. Overall, the house didn’t look too bad on the inside.

Never judge a house by the outside, Karen, she muttered under her breath. She glanced back at her parents, who were still looking at the house in wonder. With a shrug, she ventured up the grand staircase. She