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THE HAUNTED HOUSELucy groaned and switched off the alarm clock. When she became fully conscious,she became aware of a most frightful storm outside. The silvery streaks ofelectric lightning illuminated a darkened sky. Ominous thunder rolled. Thesavage wind howled angrily. Heavy sheets of freezing rain lashed against thefragile windows.Her mother knocked on the door.“Lucy! Do get up – you’ll be late for school. Besides, your father wants a wordwith you downstairs.”The eleven-year old girl washed, dressed into her school uniform, packed hersatchel with the necessary books and equipment, and hurried down the stairs.Mr. Johnstone sat at the breakfast table, reading an important-looking letter. Heseemed pleased to see his daughter.“Ah, there you are, Lucy! Sit down – I have something important to tell you. Imeant to speak to you last night, but by the time I came home, you were asleep.As you know, I am a Chief Government Engineer. As per the terms of my contract, Ihave been promoted. I have been granted a substantial rise in salary, as well asa substantial subsidy towards the acquisition of an historic seventeenth-centurymansion. We shall be moving to Buckinghamshire next week. I want you to bid afarewell to all your friends and teachers.”When she heard this, Lucy was horrified.“But, father! I don’t want to move! I’m very happy here in Cheshire. I havemany friends and am well settled at school! If we move, things can only getworse!”Her father looked sympathetic, but he slowly shook his head.“I’m sorry, Lucy! I can understand how you feel but this is too good anopportunity to miss. Besides, the interests of the family as a whole must comefirst!”“Don’t worry, Lucy!” comforted her mother. “I’m sure you’ll get used to the newarea and make new friends! I’m sure you’ll settle down there and be happy!”“Besides” said Mr. Johnstone, “this is a letter which I received from my solicitorthis morning. It confirms that all signatures have been witnessed, and that theterms of the contract are legally binding, so it’s too late to turn back now!”Lucy was well mannered and did not argue. But, in her heart of hearts, she felt asense of trepidation whenever she thought of the new house. It was as if thehouse was talking to her whenever she thought of it. It was saying, “Don't comehere – there is danger!”The removal lorry arrived after a few days! All the furniture and possessions ofthe Johnstone family were loaded. Then the vehicles set off for Buckinghamshire –the Johnstone’s dark Bentley being followed by the lorry.As the vehicles set off, Lucy’s yes welled with tears. That house held suchspecial memories for her – birthday parties, Christmas parties, friends, unclesand aunties coming to visit, receiving books, toys and games, and many happy
 
summer barbecues in the back garden. Now, she would never see her beloved homeagain!The journey was intensive. Lucy felt drowsy. They passed farm after farm,village after village, and town after town. Lucy fell fast asleep. She did nothear the vehicles arrive at ‘Buckingham Lodge’. She did not hear the slamming ofdoors or the “knocks and bangs of furniture being transferred”. She did not evenwake up when her father carried her to her new bedroom!Lucy woke in the depths of the night! At first, Lucy wondered where she was. Ah,yes! They had been moving! This must be her new room! Lucy shuddered as shelooked around. This room was not at all like her old room! She felt that she wasnot alone. She felt as if she was being watched by something invisible. Theportraits seemed to stare at her. The statues seemed to move! To comfortherself, she went to look out of the window, expecting to see traffic, passers-byand lights, as in the city. But, to her dismay, all she could see was the pitchdarkness! In fact, the trees’ branches cast eerie silhouettes in the silentmoonlight!She decided to waken her parents. When she tried to open the door, it would notopen! She pulled with all her might! The door opened a little, but then slammedshut. In the intervening gap, she caught the glimpse of a female hand – a gnarledhand with long fingernails!Lucy began to panic! She began to thump on the strong, wooden door with her fistsand to shout and scream.“Mother! Father! Come quickly! Oh help me! I’m trapped!”The door suddenly opened, and an astonished Mrs. Johnstone looked very concerned.“Lucy! Whatever is the matter? Why are you causing such a commotion at fouro’clock in the night?”“M-Mother! The d-door! I just saw a h-hand! Someone was outside my r-room!”“No, that's not possible. There’s only the three of us here. You’ve just had anightmare! Now, come into the kitchen and have a very late supper!”Lucy felt embarrassed, but she could have sworn that she had seen the hand. Buthow could she explain this and who would believe her?The next day, the resplendent rays of the dazzling sun bathed the mansion insplendour. Lucy felt more confident, so she decided to explore the mansion. Therooms were luxuriously furnished and the furniture was carved of solid mahogany.She came to a study in which stood a vast library. She noticed a dusty volumeentitled, “Buckingham Lodge: A Comprehensive History.” The more Lucy read, themore terrified she became.“Buckingham Lodge. Founded in 1633 with a grant from the King of England. Tragichistory. First owner the Duke of Buckingham, murdered by jealous relatives.Third owner, the Lord Wycombe, committed suicide whilst under the influence ofevil spirits. Apparitions frequently manifest themselves, especially fifth owner,Lady Helen, who was burnt to death in a mysterious fire. Wears black clothes.Has evil, red eyes. Has long fingernails. Will curse present residents ……..”Lucy quickly put the book away. Then she looked around, bleary-eyed. Just as shewas about to run away, she saw a letter on the bookshelf. It had been written bythe previous owner of the mansion.
 
“In God’s name, leave this place! Strange incidents occur here, phenomena forwhich there is no logical explanation. Go, before it is too late! May God blessyou!”Lucy quickly folded the letter and ran to show it to her parents.“Mother, Father, look! We must move from this evil place!”Mr. Johnstone looked at the letter and spoke angrily. “Is this a joke, Lucy?”Lucy gasped. When she looked at the letter she felt extremely puzzled. Thewriting had vanished!“B-but, but …….”“I’m getting sick and tired of your behaviour, Lucy!” warned Mr. Johnstone. “Youused to be such a sensible girl! Last night you thought someone was outside yourbedroom door! Now you bring a blank piece of paper, claiming that it is a letterof some kind! We are definitely not moving. Is that clear?”Lucy felt humiliated. She had seen the letter – it was written in black Parkerfountain pen ink, in a cursive, old-fashioned style of handwriting. If there hadbeen no letter, how could she describe the handwriting?That night there was a full moon. Lucy could hear the wild dogs howling in thedistance. She could not sleep. She kept on tossing and turning. Then, justbefore dawn, she heard footsteps in her room in the darkness. The footsteps cameto her bed. Lucy dived under her quilt. Someone sat on her bed! She felt thesprings of the bed being pressed down! Then she heard a strange whisper.“Child! Child!”A strange, hypnotic force made her look up from her quilt! There sat Lady Helen!The apparition had deep, red eyes, long nails and a frightening face. She pointeda sharp nail at Lucy’s tender throat.“Ye shalt depart henceforth from ye abode. ‘Tis mine domain! Depart ye nigh lestmine wrath befall ye!”With that, Lady Helen began to dig the nail into her flesh, and began to drawnear. Lucy screamed with all her might and then fainted! Before Lucy’s parentscould enter the room, Lady Helen had disappeared.Lucy regained consciousness and her mother asked her, “What happened?”After Lucy told her, the mother decided to call the doctor. He was an elderly,bespectacled gentleman who wore a stethoscope and carried a large leatherbriefcase. He examined Lucy thoroughly and then gave her an injection in her arm.Lucy went into a daze and began to mutter:“No, please, don’t! We’ll go! No! Aaarggh!”“Hmm”, said Professor Robertson. “It seems that your daughter has suffered atrauma of some kind. What it is, I cannot say. But it seems to me that there issome paranormal – let’s say, supernatural – factor. I’ll leave these tablets.Please do call me again if you require my services”.
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