The Hauntings of Drake Terrace: The Secret Shadow

By Angela Long

Alexander Holloway is three days away from his thirteenth birthday when he senses something dangerous is looming in his future. After his uncle accuses him of digging into their family secrets while attending Drake Terrace boarding school, Alexander heads toward Professor Holloways office hoping to find some answers. But just as he is about to arrive, he sees a dark shadow under the headmasters window. There is no question that there is something evil at Drake Terrace.

Things go from bad to worse after Alexander meets Professor Moondare, a scary looking science teacher who gives him a bad feeling. After the headmaster confirms his suspicions and tells him he is in more danger than ever before, Alexander realizes the shadow is stalking him and he must do everything in his power to save his dead fathers most prized possession. As a loud howl haunts the schools hallways, students begin disappearing, another student stumbles upon open graves, and a professor finds a secret door. But everything comes to a head on Halloween night as Alexander attempts to outrun evil.

In this supernatural tale, a dark shadow haunts the hallways of a boarding school, exposing secrets and leaving the fate of one of its students in the hands of his classmates, professors, and a presence from the past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Nov 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781480822696

Angela Long

Angela Long grew up in Bristol, Florida. She is the author of Beyond the Rainbow, Salvador the Spy: In the Case of the Missing Cats, Salvador the Spy: In the Case of the Haunted Bone, and The Hauntings of Drake Terrace: The Hollow Hallway. Angela now lives in Panama City, Florida, with her husband and son.

Book preview

The

HAUNTINGS

of

DRAKE

TERRACE

The Secret Shadow

Angela Long

33574.png

Copyright © 2015 Angela Long.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Archway Publishing

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4808-2268-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-2269-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015953046

Archway Publishing rev. date: 11/6/2015

CONTENTS

Chapter 1 The Big Surprise

Chapter 2 An Early Escape

Chapter 3 The Unsolved Mystery

Chapter 4 The Dark Secret

Chapter 5 The Haunted Birthday

Chapter 6 New Acquaintances

Chapter 7 An Enemy Comes Back

Chapter 8 The Secret Shadow

Chapter 9 The Dangerous Storm

Chapter 10 School Beginnings

Chapter 11 Haunted Assembly

Chapter 12 Danger at Drake Terrace

Chapter 13 The Storm

Chapter 14 Open Graves

Chapter 15 The Castle

Chapter 16 The Body of Phillip Drake

Chapter 17 Summer

Chapter 18 Missing

Chapter 19 One by One by One

Chapter 20 Haunted Screams

Chapter 21 What happened to Phillip Drake?

Chapter 22 Professor Moondare

Chapter 23 The Mysterious Grim Reaper

Chapter 24 The Monster

Chapter 25 The Writing in Red

Chapter 26 E.S.C.A.P.E

Chapter 27 The Prisoners

Chapter 28 Full Moon

Chapter 29 The Message

Chapter 30 The Howling

Chapter 31 The Attack of the Creature

Chapter 32 The Tunnel

Chapter 33 The Box

Chapter 34 Alexis

Chapter 35 Phillip and the Secret Shadow

Chapter 36 The Grave of Summer

Chapter 37 The Secret of the Box

Chapter 38 Cry For Help

Chapter 39 The Rescue of Alexander

Chapter 40 Professor Moondare VS Daniel Holloway

Chapter 41 Rescue of the Castle

Chapter 42 Christmas at Drake Terrace

Chapter 43 Foot Prints

Chapter 44 The Treasure

Chapter 45 Evil Secrets

Chapter 46 Merry Christmas

Chapter 47 Dark Days

Chapter 48 Unlocking Secrets

Chapter 49 Secret Gifts

Chapter 50 Aunt Shelly

Chapter 51 Deepest, Darkest

Chapter 52 Screams of Horror

Chapter 53 URGENT

Chapter 54 Locked up/Laid to Rest

Chapter 55 The School Year Comes to an End

Chapter 56 The Formula

Chapter 57 MIRACLE

Chapter 58 New Beginnings

FOR ETHAN AND EMMA

Chapter 1

The Big Surprise

T he roaring sound of thunder and pouring rain pelting against the window had awoken Alexander from a deep sleep. As he rubbed his tired and sleepy eyes, he suddenly remembered what day it was. It was Wednesday—only three more days until his thirteenth birthday. He quickly jumped out of bed, which was now in the basement. Alexander’s Uncle Daniel and Aunt Shelly decided that it would be best if Alexander had his own space. Of course, it was mainly Aunt Shelly who wanted to move him down into the basement. She wanted him as far away from her precious Senesea as possible. She had complained of persistent headaches all summer long! Alexander was more than happy to move into the basement. At least this way he had a lot more privacy.

Alexander quickly got dressed and was making his way up the stairs when suddenly the door at the top of the stairs swung open. Uncle Daniel stood there with a stern look spread across his face. Alexander nervously grabbed the railing on the side and looked up at his uncle.

Um, hi, Uncle Daniel. I was just about to come up for some breakfast, Alexander cautiously said. There was no response from his uncle. Just a long, stern, and angry stare. Alexander swallowed hard and cleared his throat as he spoke again to his uncle. Is everything alright? You seem a little disturbed about something. Still, just bitter silence. Alexander began to squirm and feel a little nervous. His mind started to race, trying to figure out what had caused his uncle so much distress. He took a deep breath and questioned his uncle one more time. Uncle Daniel … um, have I done something that has caused you to become upset or angry?

Uncle Daniel started breathing very heavily. His face turned deep red and his eyes filled with anger. Alexander … how could you? After all that I have done for you! I took you into my home after your mom and dad’s accident! I sent you to a nice school! I have clothed you and fed you! And this is how you repay me? How could you? How could you betray me like this?

Before Alexander had a chance to respond, his uncle turned and swiftly walked back up the stairs and slammed the door. Alexander stood there with a frozen, inquisitive look on his face. He was a little confused. Had something happened that he didn’t know about? What was going on? He didn’t know whether he should continue up the stairs and get some breakfast or just turn back around and stay in his room. He decided that the best thing for him to do was just go and try to talk to his uncle. Alexander slowly made his way up the rest of the stairs and tried to quietly open the door that led into the kitchen. He looked around the room, but his uncle was nowhere to be found. The only person he found was his annoying cousin, and she was more than ready to ruin Alexander’s day.

What are you doing up here, worm head? Senesea asked, letting out a bellowing laugh as scrambled eggs dribbled from her chin. Alexander was in no mood to put up with his spoiled cousin right now.

I don’t have time for your disturbing behavior right now, Senesea, Alexander began. Where is Uncle Daniel? Senesea continued to shovel scrambled eggs into her mouth without even acknowledging her cousin. Alexander let out a deep breath and walked out of the kitchen, only to run into a very upset Aunt Shelly. She had a very perplexed look on her thin face.

How dare you upset your uncle! she screamed. We brought you into our home and gave you a place to live even after you put our precious daughter’s life in a frenzy! You are nothing but a spoiled-rotten lout! I don’t want to see your face right now!

Alexander stood there in shock as he watched his aunt turn on her heels and bitterly walk out of the room. Now he was more confused than ever. What have I done? he thought. What could my aunt and uncle be talking about? What have I done to betray my uncle? All of a sudden, he had a flashback. He remembered a conversation that he had with Professor Holloway on the first day of school—about his father’s top secret information.

Your dad and I were really close, the professor had said to him. We kept in close contact all through the years. He had been working on something very ‘top secret’ that involved Drake Terrace. If any of his information got out … well, let’s just say that Drake Terrace could be in grave danger.

I don’t understand, Alexander had replied, how could it have gotten out since he’s … dead?

Well, your dad had some enemies in our family, Professor Holloway had told him. I think you know as well as I do who they were.

Alexander came back to from his flashback and started feeling a little sick to his stomach. He ran his hand through his hair and turned around to go back down into the basement. He had a lot of investigating to do, and he knew just where to start. Just as he grabbed the doorknob to the basement, he heard a deep and angry voice.

Alexander, I think you and I need to have a little talk …

Chapter 2

An Early Escape

I ’m afraid I don’t know what’s going on here. Have I done something wrong? Alexander asked.

Uncle Daniel just looked at Alexander without speaking. His breathing had become heavier, and he had started to shake with anger. He began to pace back and forth as he started explaining. Alexander, do you know why we decided to send you to Drake Terrace? Alexander looked at his uncle. He took in a deep breath, and his heart began to pound in his chest. He turned and looked at his uncle with confusion.

Uncle Daniel continued to stare at Alexander with anger burning in his eyes. He grabbed Alexander by the arm and spoke in a deep, agitated tone. I think maybe the best place for us to talk is in my office. So, let’s go! Alexander followed his uncle through the kitchen and up the stairs. When they reached the office, Alexander walked into the room and looked around in shock. There, spread across his uncle’s desk, were hundreds of papers. There were books strewn all around the room that had been pulled off the bookshelves. What really shook Alexander was that over in the corner of the room there was a box that had his name written across the top. It was written in his father’s handwriting. Alexander began to shiver.

Uncle Daniel asked once again, Now, do you know why we decided to send you to Drake Terrace?

You said because it was a great school and because Aunt Shelly kept getting headaches, Alexander replied.

Uncle Daniel let out a small chuckle. Yes, because it’s a great school and because I told you that our ancestors had went there as well. Right? Alexander nodded. Well, when we sent you to this school, we didn’t intend for you to snoop around in places where you shouldn’t be snooping. We sent you there to get an education.

Alexander looked at his uncle with confusion. I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean, Uncle Daniel. Where exactly have I been snooping? Alexander was eying the box in the corner as he was speaking.

Uncle Daniel let out a loud, bellowing laugh. Ha! So, you have no idea where you have been snooping? You have no clue how much trouble you have caused? Do you want me to believe that you are that naive? Uncle Daniel’s voice got louder as he spoke. Alexander was starting to become very nervous. He backed away a few inches from his uncle and stuck his hands into his pockets.

Alexander cleared his throat and said, I’m afraid I just don’t follow what you are accusing me of. I never did any snooping while I was at Drake Terrace.

Uncle Daniel was becoming very agitated. Oh, I see, he began. So, you never had any conversations with Professor Holloway about anything secret? Is that what you want me to believe?

Well, yes, Alexander replied, I had conversations with Professor Holloway. If it had not been for him, I may not be here now. What exactly are you getting at? Alexander was starting to understand what his uncle angry about. But what he didn’t understand was why. Professor Holloway is family—all he was doing was helping us. How can you be mad at me for talking to family?

Uncle Daniel grabbed a handful of papers from off of his desk and wadded them into his fist. He walked over to Alexander and shook them in his face. There is very important and secret information in these papers. No one, especially you, should know anything about this information! So, when I get wind that you are having private meetings with Professor Holloway about top secret family information, it makes me a little uneasy! Alexander had started to back up as his uncle was yelling at him. Still, he had no clue what was in those papers.

Alexander still couldn’t understand why his uncle was angry at him. Uncle Daniel, I just don’t understand. Professor Holloway is family—and so am I. What is it that you are so angry about? Alexander turned and eyed the box with his name on it one more time. This time, his uncle took notice.

So, I assume you are wondering about the box with your name on it. Are you wondering what it’s doing in here?

Alexander walked over to the box and knelt down. What I’m wondering is why you opened it. The tone in Alexander’s voice struck a chord with his uncle.

Well, this is my house and I have the right to anything that is in it. Don’t you think so? said Uncle Daniel.

Actually, no, Alexander responded. I don’t think you have the right to go through things that don’t belong to you. Even though this is your house, there are some things in it that are not yours. I think you need to respect the owner’s privacy. By this time, Alexander’s heart was pounding in his chest. His breathing had become heavy. He stood up from where he had been kneeling by the box and began walking toward the door.

He looked at his uncle but, didn’t say a word. He just kept walking in a very quick and angry pace. He ran down the stairs and made his way through the house until he reached the door to the basement. His Aunt