Spooked by Halloween: Children's Mystery Series

By Rome

Someone or something is stopping the people of Draker Township from celebrating Halloween every October 31st. For five years, the ban on Halloween had caused the townspeople to simply forget that Halloween even existed and while the rest of the United States celebrated the event with fun and fervor, Draker Township surrendered to the mysterious force that plagued them from even talking about Halloween. In comes the ambitious Town Mayor, Robert Gentry, who lifts the ban on Halloween. He has the hopes of creating a Halloween theme park and a haunted house to increase more money to their town. But then terrible things start springing up from all corners of the town. The sight of pig’s blood splashed on their doors and the threat from the pick axes thrown on their front door as well as other malicious acts, causes panic and concern in the hearts of the people that perhaps the ban on Halloween should just continue.

But a Halloween ban does not sit well for three young boys who are determined to put an end to the threats that are rising against the townspeople. Eager to take on as the three young sleuths of their town, Joey, Juan and Alex work to resolve the mysterious occurrences that are destroying the peace of their town and to ensure that the spirit of Halloween continues in their township as it does all across the United States on October 31st each year.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rome
• Release date: Jun 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458058010

Rome

Rome now lives in the United States where her passion for justice and civil liberties comes forth through writing that she hopes conveys the complexity of the human mind in all its most variant forms.

Book preview

Spooked by Halloween

Children’s Mystery Series

By Rome

Copyright 2011 Rome

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 please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the time and hard work of this author in creating this exciting and enjoyable read.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual characters, living or dead is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication of work in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.

Contents

≈ Chapter 1: Halloween's Back in Town

≈ Chapter 2: The Thing About Halloween

≈ Chapter 3: More Mysterious Happenings

≈ Chapter 4: Young Sleuths in the Making

≈ Chapter 5: The Mayor's Meeting

≈ Chapter 6: Blood Sausages

≈ Chapter 7: The Neighborhood Watch Team

≈ Chapter 8: The Suspect

≈ Chapter 9: Juan Gonzalez

≈ Chapter 10: Mr. Pattoli

≈ Chapter 11: Jack O'Lanterns Anyone?

≈ Chapter 12: Juliana Pattoli

≈ Chapter 13: Halloween at Last!

Chapter 1: Halloween’s Back in Town Back to top

Joey Patterson did not like the sound of the alarm clock’s ring. When it rang, it sounded almost like a shriek and it was one of the ugliest clocks he had ever seen. Sort of old fashioned, colored plain and grey with a round face that read the time clean and simple. He wished he had the one with his favorite action figure plastered on its face but Mom always got her way when it came to buying stuff for the house. She was their boss and if they all played their cards right, she was the coolest woman in town.

He turned over and the morning sun’s ray hit him. Strong and warm glows which drew him his next wake up call. He could already feel the heat on his pink face. Yeah, time to get up!

It was the last day of the summer school camp. He liked day camp. There were always things to do out there but now, he could spend time with the neighborhood kids doing things on their own. Things that boys of their age do all the time.

He let out a big loud yawn and pushed himself out of bed. Maybe a stretch would help but first he had to check the hallway. He was quite sure he hadn’t heard Tom yet. Maybe he was still sleeping.

Joey opened the door quietly and looked down the hallway. There was nothing out of the ordinary. He looked at the time again. If he had another ten minutes to spare, he would lounge his way back to bed but day camp was drawing to a close. He couldn’t be late again today really. After all, he had most of the summer to sleep in a little longer then.

Joey! Are you up? a familiar voice rang its way through the household, We have to get going to the day camp! Hurry up! Joey knew when Mom always meant business.

He trudged to the bathroom feeling the sudden urge to pee when a strong gust of wind wheezed past him taking him almost down with a rude fall.

Oh Tom! What are you doing? he groaned in dismay as he realized what it was that had almost knocked him down. By then, Tom had already planted his feet in the bathroom closest to their room. And he was grinning at him from teeth to teeth. Tom had won again.

Joey begged. It was the only way he knew with his brother. You had to go down on your feet with a brother like Tom who always seemed to get his way no matter what.

Let me use the bathroom first Tom. Pleeze….pleeze? It was a plea, the least he could do to convince the bully he got for a brother. Mom would be mad with me.

A statement plain and simple but it only made Tom laugh. A mocking kind that almost sounded like a snigger. Typical of Tom!

Well you are late again lazy bones! Jerk! he snorted, Not my problem…and I get to use the bathroom again. You can walk all the way down and use the bathroom downstairs, he pouted, laughing at the shocked little brother who stood in front of him. He liked to mess around with Joey. The little fella needed to loosen up sometimes.

Joey walked all the way down gloomily with his clothes tugging by him. Mean ol’ Tom. He will get his payback in due time. Tom never gave him a chance. He just liked to tease him one too many times.

He could smell something good though as he came down the stairway that led to the kitchen. He knew Mom was making her favorite Spanish omelet, a recipe she got from one of his best friends’ mother. But when she took one look at him, all she did was hiss her disappointment.

Mom, that really smells good! Almost like the way Santos’ mom makes them, he added hoping it would cheer her up. She looked grumpy this morning. What was bothering her?

Oh Joey, hurry up! How can you be late again! Look at you! she grumbled without quite looking at him. Dress up quick! I do not want you getting there late again. Hurry! Hurry! she expressed anxiously now as she laid the breakfast table together still not looking up.

Yeah Mom, he drawled obediently then quickly hurried himself. He could get the better portion of the Spanish omelet this morning if he worked faster. He was not going to let Tom take all the best parts again. He just got away too often with his bad jokes.

By the time he was ready for breakfast, Joey found his father already settled at the head of the table reading his favorite financial section of the morning paper. And Mom was already filling their plates. Joey sat down and heaped a little more of the omelet taking as much as he could of the sausages and chorizos. He was really hungry.

Keep a little for your brother too Joey, reminded his mother watchfully as she eyed the plate wishing Joey would be a little more considerate for once.

Hmmmm….delicious Mom! These are the best omelets in town! applauded Joey. It seemed to do the trick because Mom lit up almost immediately.

Really? she smiled and Joey grinned. He could see Tom making his way down the stairs looking like an eager beaver.

Yo Dad, Yo Mom, man it smells so good from up there! he sounded happily pecking his mother on her cheek as his father looked up and did his morning smile. Joey could see Dad was not too happy about Tom’s latest earring but he said nothing.

Make sure you rake the yard like you promised Tom. The leaves are piling up high already, grunted his father as he kicked the chair back to the table. Gotto go Bella, he said then walked to the door, his mother tugging close by.

Hey man, you took most of the best parts, hissed Tom as he looked at his plate filled with nothing but omelet. Where are my sausages and chorizos?

Did you hear me Tom? Dad sounded again in the distance.

Tom looked up a little scathed now.

Yeah Dad, I heard you. I will get the yard cleaned up quick, he promised then eyed his brother moodily.

This time it was Joey’s turn to laugh. Be nice next time. First come, first serve Tom. Remember? he grinned as his brother watched him with large disapproving eyes. Joey knew it was not the last of him. Tom’s face meant business.

What’s this on the front page? sounded Joey curiously reaching for the crumpled newspaper left behind after their Dad’s morning reading adventure.

What’s what? teased his brother grabbing at the newspaper instantly. He liked to tease Joey although he knew it got out of hand at times.

Shocked, Joey grabbed back at the newspaper and a match started again between the two brothers.

Hey, c’mon let me see that! said Tom one more time and the newspaper got wrenched out of Joey’s hands. Tom was a real bully this morning!

Joey ran up to his brother and pressed himself on his brother’s back looking over him as they both read the day’s headlines. The headlines read in thick bold words, Halloween’s Back in Town and it was front page news.

Tom laughed, Man, are they planning to bring this up again because if they are, I am going to be a vamp this year. They do nice frightening costumes you know, the ones that come with the blood and the teeth, he screamed gleefully contorting his face to frighten Joey.

Mom! Tom is scaring me again! shouted Joey at the top of his voice as his mother got in quickly to take a look. It had been nothing more than a riot in the breakfast room while she was seeing John out.

Why can’t I get some peace this morning? she demanded as she locked her fearful stares with Tom. Stop bullying Joey, Thomas and get going. Mac is already waiting out in his car, she said flashing her finger at her elder son. She would have a chat later with her son about behaving at the breakfast table. Maybe both boys need some telling.

Now young man, let’s get going to your Day Camp, she snapped turning back to Joey, You will have to find your own projects to keep you busy until school begins next month. No monkeying around like the way you did last summer you hear? said his mother as she grabbed the keys on the kitchen countertop.

Alright Mom, Joey said as he gulped down the last bit of his orange juice.

The newspaper lay forgotten on the breakfast table, the headline news fading off to a blur until Joey met his friends, Juan and Alex at the day camp. The two boys were huddled in complete excitement when he made his entry into the day camp room.

Hi Buddy, what’s up? Tom bothering you again? asked Alex as he drew a friendly punch on Joey.

Joey sighed as he sat with his friends. They had known each other for as long as they were babies. Their mothers always got together to do the chores and shopping, their brothers and sisters played together so it only made sense that the three youngest babies in the families also became good friends. To top off the excitement, all three were born in the same year!

My mom made that delicious Spanish omelet today Juan. Yummy! And I got to keep the best parts on my plate this morning, he winked with a boyish grin.

Juan laughed till his belly hurt. He had heard about Mrs. Patterson’s fascination with making the Spanish omelet. In fact, Joey’s mom was always curious about trying new Spanish recipes. One step at a time his mother had told Joey’s mom and you will be cooking like a Spanish woman!

Hey guys, did you read the morning’s newspaper? There’s going to be Halloween this year in Draker Township! announced Joey suddenly; Now finally, we get to do it all over again! said Joey raising his yahoos as loud as he could.

Joey, could you please keep your voice down? a voice sounded from across the room. It was Mr. Johnson, the swimming instructor.

We do not want too much ruckus again with Halloween do we now? After all that trouble we’d had in the past, Halloween is really a bad idea in this town, he declared almost boring down his disapproving eyes on them.

The boys hushed. No one messed around with Mr. Johnson.

Maybe, we should take this talk outside where he can’t hear us? hissed Juan discreetly. Not sure what his problem is.

Mr. Johnson seemed upset at the talk of Halloween back in their town again. Wasn’t Halloween supposed to be a fun event for all to take part in?

The boys did finally get a chance to take their little discussion outdoors. Amidst the laps they took at the pool and the field games, the three best friends still found lunch time a session to continue their discussion about Halloween. They had already heard about Halloween fun in the neighboring towns and could not quite understand why their township had banned such an event for the last five years. They grabbed their sandwiches and started to make plans. Halloween was just around the corner and they wanted to be prepared for the big day.

Hello boys, can I join you for lunch today? sounded a familiar voice from behind.

The three boys turned to find Mr. Johnson looking down at them this time with a friendly smile, one hand nervously holding a brown paper lunch bag. They moved to make a seat available for their swimming instructor.

First of all boys, I need to apologize for being blunt this morning. I grew up celebrating Halloween each year and I know how it feels to have that fun again but many bad events have happened in our town each time we got ready for Halloween, said Mr. Johnson nodding his head from side to side. He remembered how bad it was one year when the neighbors got together and stated that they had enough of the terrible threats they received. And it simply got too far with the mess to clear in their yards.

What do you mean Mr. Johnson? sounded Alex curiously. His two friends joined in all ears now.

Mr. Johnson seemed to have a faraway look then began his macabre story telling the boys about the dead animals that were thrown in the front yards, about the ketchup that got spluttered on front doors, about the flowers that were pulled out of the beds and about all the incidents that frightened the people from having Halloween in their town again.

So, when all were busy celebrating across the country, our town decided it was a day best spent indoors. I am sure you realize that your parents kept you indoors on Halloween? he asked as he looked at the boys with a little smile hoping it would joggle some memory in them.

Joey nodded his head. He remembered quite well. His parents never uttered a word about Halloween ever and October 31st was a day for watching television with a bowl of popcorn. But there were times when Tom and he did get a chance to trick or treat at their Cousin Lenny’s home in the neighboring township.

Yeah, I remember that but why are people trying to stop that event from happening in our town? What did we do?

Mr. Johnson shrugged his shoulder. He could not understand himself.

I don’t really have the answers for your questions boys. Maybe, we just can’t have Halloween in our town. The new Mayor will soon learn that and will stop it when he finds out that bad things happen when Halloween comes to Draker Township….like a curse I guess, said Mr. Johnson with a knowing smile, And then he could very well ban this event for good. So much for Halloween huh? Well, I had better get going. We have a few more games to work on boys and then we wrap it up for the day, he quickly added with a smile, crushing his bag as he made his way back to the staff quarters.

Juan, Joey and Alex listened but they were convinced Halloween had to stay. It was an event that they did not just intend to hear from the children of other towns but one that they hoped to enjoy themselves. Something did not seem right in their town. Something did not want Halloween to come to their town but what was it?

As soon as they got home, the three boys banded together in Joey’s yard armed with the newspaper that told all. The new Mayor, Robert Gentry, promised to make Halloween an event to remember each year. He suggested that the town could even create more revenue by hosting Halloween shows and events to lure more visitors to their town.

Hey look, we are going to have a haunted house constructed out here just a mile away from our home! Wow, that’s going to be a lot of fun! What do you think they are going to put in there? sounded Juan excitedly. He had heard about the haunted home theme parks across the country and how people had lots of fun going through the house and finding frightening surprises awaiting them. Surely, they could also have that fun right in their own town?

That sounds exciting! What are they planning on? joined in Joey as they paged through the newspaper gleaning through the report that told how the Mayor planned to make a memorable Halloween event each year in their town.

Throughout the afternoon, the boys read and discussed voraciously, spelling only sheer excitement about Halloween. Joey planned to call his cousins and let them know. Perhaps, this year they could join in the fun and spend Halloween in their town.

Suddenly, screams rang out and the boys fell, held down by a huge net that sprawled on them. The boys fought relentlessly wondering the reason for the cruel joke. The source of the cruel joke soon revealed itself.

Tom! shouted Joey as he peered upwards. Perched atop the heavy oak tree and unable to contain the laugh of the century was Tom. He had been waiting patiently for the boys wondering when he could spring his nasty little trap on them.

Cool it guys! Just wanted to have some fun seeing you guys scream and holler. Man, you guys look like a bunch of chickens! It’s just a net! he laughed his face turning pink in the hot sun and mostly because he thought he had his stab of fun with them seeing them chicken out so easily.

How are you fellas going to take Halloween when you are so easily frightened by just a net? he stated pointing and laughing at the boys.

Joey, Juan and Alex looked at the load of mischief on the tree. Tom never seemed to know when to stop and they were not going to let him get away with his cruel joke so easily.

Are you thinking what I am thinking? whispered Joey as he looked at his bewildered friends, Alex and Juan. They nodded their heads quickly. They would teach Tom a lesson.

The three boys quickly got out of the net as Tom watched on.

Hey guys, don’t go. It was just a joke, that’s all. Surely you can take a joke now, can’t yer? he drawled but the boys never looked up any further and walked on towards the bins. What were they planning to do?

Juan and Alex saw the three tall bins standing tall and strong with the raked leaves in them. They kicked them hard rolling the bins all across the luscious green lawn. Tom cringed. He should have known. Maybe, he should have moved the bins away before he played such a dirty