The zombies lurched forward as a group, their eyes vacant and skin blistered.

Blood dripped down their faces from where they had already feasted, but they
remained hungry. They had tasted human flesh, and they wanted more. One of
the creatures shuffled ahead of the pack. Brains! it moaned through broken
teeth and quivering, burst lips. Brains!
Resus Negative hefted his weapon a sturdy cricket bat and swung it round
as hard as he could. There was a sickening CRACK as wood connected with
bone and the zombies skull burst open, spraying green and grey gunk over its
fellow undead. They didnt appear to notice and continued their assault, arms
outstretched as they trampled over their fallen comrade. BRAINS!
Resus hit the pause button, freezing the zombie horde in its tracks. This is
the best game ever! he exclaimed, reaching for his glass of milk on the bedside
table. Why didnt you tell me about this one before?
Luke Watson was lying on his bed, flicking through an old computer games
magazine. I dunno. He shrugged. After I met Doug and the other zombies
here in Scream Street, I didnt think it was a good idea to play a game where you
have to smash their cousins heads in.
Well, I think its brilliant, said Resus, downing his milk and resuming the
game. He switched weapons from the cricket bat to a sword, and sliced the next
attacking zombies head clean off its shoulders.
Its disgusting, if you ask me, muttered Cleo Farr. The mummy was hunched
up in an old armchair in the corner of the room, scribbling into a notebook. Its
not the zombies fault theyre hungry, is it? They didnt ask to get a taste for
human flesh.
Resus exchanged a weary glance with Luke. Its just a game. He sighed.
No ones really getting hurt, Cleo. And since when did you care what happened
to Aargh!
The vampire dropped the controller and leapt back as one of the zombies in
the game suddenly reached through the screen with diseased fingers and tried to
grab his throat.
BRAINS!
The undead arm somehow extending out of the TV screen and into the
room was joined by another as the digital zombies shuffled closer to the

screen.
Whats going on? cried Luke, grabbing the lamp from beside his bed and
smashing it down as hard as he could onto the outstretched hands. He heard
bones break as one of the zombies wrists snapped.
This is insane! yelled Resus, climbing up onto the bed just as the head of
a World War II US soldier stretched up from the pages of Lukes magazine
beside him.
With a crinkling sound, a rifle pushed its way out of the page beside the GI
and turned to point straight at Resus.
What did you just call me? snarled the soldier.
Resus peered down the barrel of a very realistic sniper rifle as it protruded
from the pages of Lukes computer games magazine. Identify yourself! barked
the paper soldier. Name, rank and number!
This isnt good, Resus croaked.
Beside him, Luke continued beating at the zombies arms which reached out
of his TV set, grasping for flesh. Brains! BRAINS!
Cleo! he yelled. Get out of here while you still can! What appeared to be
a foot was beginning to stretch out of her notebook.
The mummy stood up and sighed. You two are hopeless, she said. Calmly
putting her notebook and its emerging foot aside, she produced a magic wand
from her bandages and waved it, muttering a spell under her breath. The yellow
star at the end of the wand flashed. Instantly the US soldier and his rifle sank
back into the glossy paper of the magazine, the zombies retreated into their
game and the foot vanished.
The boys slumped onto the bed, struggling to catch their breath.
That was you? gasped Resus. You made those things attack us?
I didnt make them attack you, said Cleo. They were just doing what came
naturally. If you werent both obsessed with violent games, youd have been
perfectly safe.
You cant blame this on us! snapped Luke. What is that thing? He
reached for the magic wand.
Cleo quickly pushed the wand out of sight. Its for my project.
Luke shook his head and started to pick up the broken pieces of lamp. I
might have known.
Hang on, said Resus. What project?
Cleo sat down in the armchair again and opened her notebook. Nothing to
do with you.
Oh, so now youre keeping secrets as well as trying to kill us?
I didnt try to kill you! Cleo insisted.
All right, said Resus. Maybe you didnt, but you conjured up some
monsters to do it for you!
They werent monsters, said Cleo. They were characters. She picked up
her pen and started to write again.
Dont ignore me! cried Resus, snatching the notebook from the mummys
hands.
Cleo jumped up and grabbed the notebook, pulling it towards her. Give that

back!
Guys, stop it, said Luke.
Resus ignored him and continued to glare at Cleo. Why should I give it
back? he growled, pulling the book back towards himself.
Because its private! snarled Cleo, pulling the notebook in her direction.
Listen to me! Luke said firmly.
Resus tugged at the book again. So, you are keeping secrets from us.
No! shouted Cleo. Its just got nothing to do with you.
Whats so special about it? yelled Resus. Is it details of your next plan to
try and bump us both off?
Of course not! hissed Cleo through gritted teeth. Dont be an idiot!
Stop it! shouted Luke. Cleo, just tell him what youre doing.
All right, said Cleo. If it will stop him acting like a baby. She fixed Resus
with a furious stare. Im writing a novel.
Resus blinked, unsure what to say for a second. Youre writing a novel?
Cleo nodded.
Really?
Yes, Im writing a novel, said Cleo. Can I have it back now, please?
Resus released his grip on the notebook. How long have you been writing a
novel?
Cleo shrugged. A few weeks.
Resus turned to Luke. And you knew about it?
Yep, said Luke. Cleo wanted to speak to Samuel Skipstone and get some
advice about writing, so shes been coming here every day after school to chat
with him.
So, whats with the magic spell and those things attacking us? Resus asked.
Sorry about that, Cleo mumbled. Mr Skipstone said I had to find a way to
bring my characters to life. I couldnt find a way to do it by writing, so I bought a
spell from Everwells. I didnt realize it would work on all the characters in the
room.
Resus sat on Lukes bed. Why didnt you tell me you were writing a book?
he asked.
Cleo blushed slightly beneath her bandages. I wanted to, she said. I just
thought you might laugh at me.
I wouldnt do that, said Resus. I think its a great idea.
You mean it?
Of course, said Resus. I couldnt do it, but youre good at all that writing
stuff at school.
Cleo smiled as she smoothed out the pages of her notebook. I am enjoying
writing it, she admitted.
Whats it about? Resus asked.
Dont look at me, said Luke, sitting on the bed beside the vampire. I get
sent out of the room when she discusses it with Mr Skipstone.
Cleo paused for a moment. Promise you wont laugh?
Luke and Resus both nodded.
OK, said Cleo. She took a deep breath. Its about a girl called Balsa, who

meets a boy at school. His name is Woodhead, and Balsa is convinced that
theres something unusual about him. His skin is really cold, he doesnt have a
pulse.
So hes a zombie, then? said Resus.
Cleo nodded. And when he goes out in the sunshine, he jingles.
Jingles?
Like little bells. I wanted to make him different from zombies in other
stories.
Sounds like a weird kind of zombie to me.
He is a bit, said Cleo, but Balsa doesnt know that hes undead for certain
at the start, said Cleo. Its only when he sinks his teeth into her leg that she
realises the truth.
Whats the book called? asked Luke.
Cleo opened her notebook to the first page to display the title. Thigh Bite.
Resus grinned and began to chuckle.
You said you wouldnt laugh at me. Cleo scowled.
Im not laughing at you, Resus insisted. Im laughing at the story. Its really
clever.
You mean it? asked Cleo with a smile. Thanks.
Resus picked up the game controller and restarted his zombie attack. Its all
right, he said, eyes fixed on the advancing undead. I always th Ow!
The vampire cried out in pain as a model ship exploded against his head.

What did you do that for? cried Resus, rubbing the back of his head.
Cleo looked up from her notebook. Do what?
I didnt laugh at your stupid story. Theres no need to throw stuff at me!
I didnt throw anything at you, Cleo retorted. I havent moved from this
chair.
Luke jumped off the bed and began to collect up the bits of model ship. My
dad built that with me a couple of weeks before we moved. He groaned. Took
us ages to get it right! He ran his hand back and forth over the wooden floor.
Wheres the little plastic pilot gone?
Is this him? asked Resus, pulling a tiny figure from his hair.
Luke threw Cleo an angry look. His heads snapped off!
Dont blame me, said Cleo. Ive told you, I didnt throw it.
You didnt need to, said Resus. One wave of your magic wand and you
can get one of your characters to do it for you.
I havent touched my wand, said the mummy. I was just sitting She
stopped as the game controller lifted out of Resuss hands and rose into the air. It
hovered there for a second, then shot across the room and bounced off Cleos
shoulder.
It could be a poltergeist attack, suggested Resus. Like the ones we used to
have when you first moved here.
I dont think so, said Luke. When those attacks started, everything flew
round the room at once. This is happening one item at a time. If this is a
poltergeist, its not a very good one.
But whos it? asked Cleo. Whos doing this?
Luke shrugged. Could it be a ghost?
Wed be able to see a ghost, wouldnt we? said Resus.
It depends what type of ghost it is, answered Cleo. It could be a ghoul, a
phantom or a spectre. Phantoms in particular find it difficult to appear solid
But there must be a way to see them, Luke pointed out. Otherwise no one
would know they exist.
Theres a spell that allows you to communicate with them, said Cleo. And
sometimes you can see them at dawn or dusk, when the sky looks red. Red sky
at morn, a phantom will haunt. Red sky at night, youre in for a fright.

Luke grabbed the computer games magazine from the bed and pulled a pair
of cardboard glasses from the cover. These are 3D glasses, he said. This issue
had an article all about a new 3D console that was coming out. You could use
the glasses to see what some of the games would look like.
We can already see in 3D, said Resus. And we still cant see anyone here.
But Cleo said you can sometimes see phantoms in red light, Luke reminded
him.
He put the glasses on, closed the eye behind the blue lens and gasped.
Standing right in front of them was, indeed, a ghost.

Luke and Resus edged their way across Scream Streets central square.
Is he still with us? asked Resus.
Luke looked through the 3D glasses at the seemingly empty space behind
them.
The ghost was trudging along a few metres behind. He wore a long tailcoat
and a battered top hat.
Hes here, said Luke. But he doesnt look very happy.
Resus took the glasses and peered at the phantom. He was shivering and
looked as though he might burst into tears at any moment. Do you think ghosts
can have nervous breakdowns? Resus asked.
Ive no idea, said Luke, taking the glasses back. They dont have any
nerves to break down, do they?
Maybe not, said Resus, but this bloke looks about as happy as a banshee
at a sponsored silence.
The ghosts bottom lip began to tremble.
It might be an idea to keep quiet, Luke suggested. I think he can hear us.
Resus turned to where he presumed the phantom was standing. Dont
worry! he said far too loudly. Our friend Cleo has gone to Everwells
Emporium thats a kind of shop to get a spell that will let us talk to you. The
vampire noticed that Luke was grinning at him. Whats the matter?
Well, for a start, hes a ghost, hes not deaf, Luke said with a smile. Plus,
hes standing over here with me. Youve just been talking to a lamppost.
The silver doors of Everwells Emporium burst open and Cleo appeared.
Spotting her friends, she raced over to join them.
Did you get it? asked Luke.
Cleo produced a magic wand with a shimmering red star at the top. Voil!
And this one wont cause anything nasty to jump out at us?
Cleo shook her head. I asked Eefa; this is exactly the right spell for
communicating with phantoms.
Not a minute too soon, said Resus. I dont fancy spending the rest of the
day talking to inanimate objects.
Eefa said we have to stand together and cast the spell over ourselves, Cleo
explained.
And then well be able to see him without the glasses? asked Luke.
Cleo nodded. And talk to him.

Lets do it, said Resus.

The trio huddled together while Cleo held the wand over their heads and
read the magical words printed along the handle. The red star on the end began
to glow, and then there was a flash of bright, scarlet light.
Well, said Resus, did it work?
Somethings happened, said Luke. I can see right through you!
Resus looked down at his body. Luke was right he was transparent and so
were both of his friends. You idiot, Cleo! he snapped. You didnt get us a spell
that would let us talk to ghosts youve turned us into ghosts!
Ghosts?!
Resus held a transparent hand up in front of his face. He could still make out
the outline of his body, but he could see right through it, as though he was made
of glass.
You are banned from doing anything with magic wands from now on! he
shouted at Cleo.
But that was definitely the right spell, Cleo insisted. I checked.
Well, obviously not closely enough, said Resus. Not only am I not a
vampire, Im not even alive any more!
We cant be dead, said Luke. I doubt Everwells Emporium would sell
spells that could kill you.
Hes right, said Cleo. This must just be the way it works.
It feels weird, said Luke, peering through his legs. Do you think we can
walk through walls and things like that now?
Of course we can, said Resus. Cleos turned us into ghosts well be able
to do everything ghosts can do. To illustrate his point, he turned, strode towards
the lamppost hed recently been talking to and crashed straight into it. Ow!
he cried, rubbing his nose.
The spell doesnt really turn you into a phantom, said a mournful voice. It
just lets you talk to us. Not that anyone ever wants to for very long.
The trio turned. Now clearly visible, the phantom from Lukes bedroom stood
behind them. He also appeared as though he was made of glass. And he looked
utterly miserable.
You sound like youve done this before, said Luke.
The phantom shook his head. Im not important enough to be allowed to
use magic, he said. But I did see my boss speak to someone using the spell
years ago. It didnt go very well, but then I didnt expect it to, really.
Whats your name? asked Cleo.
The phantom looked surprised. You want to know my name? he asked. No
one ever wants to know my name.
Well, we do, said Luke.
The phantom removed his top hat and bowed his already stooped body.
Henry Horatio Harper, he said. Although I dont expect you to remember it.
No one ever does.
We remember you throwing things at us in Lukes bedroom, said Resus.
Im sorry, said Henry. I was just practising.
Practising? asked Luke. What for?

My exam, Henry replied. I dont often get the chance to practise in front of
people. And even if I do, they dont really notice me.
Well, we did, said Resus, rubbing the bruise on the back of his head.
Although I cant imagine what sort of exam would need you to chuck stuff at
kids.
Suddenly a deep bell boomed out across the square. The ground shook, and
Luke, Resus and Cleo were forced to clamp their hands over their ears. What is
that? cried Cleo.
Henry sighed. Thats the end of my lunch hour.

Henry Horatio Harper turned and began to shuffle away across the central
square. Luke, Resus and Cleo hurried after him.
Lunchtime? asked Cleo, catching up with the phantom. You mean the bell
rings like that at this time every day?
Henry nodded, his top hat wobbling. Not that youd be able to hear it; its a
phantom bell.
A phantom bell for phantom lunch hour? said Luke. Please dont think Im
being rude, but lunch hour from what?
The ghost continued his shuffling walk. From haunting, he said. What
else?
Resus looked surprised. You mean youre doomed to haunt the houses of
Scream Street?
Not doomed, said Henry. Although there are days when I feel like that.
So, how does it work? asked Luke.
Henry sighed. I work for a company called Haunting in Scream Street or
HISS for short. Haunting houses around here is my job.
And you get a lunch break from it? asked Resus. Thats ridiculous!
Henry stopped and stared hard at Resus. Have you been talking to my
boss?
No, said Resus. Why?
He wants to do away with our lunch hour as well. The phantom turned and
continued walking. And if I dont get back to work soon, he wont let me take
my exam.
I still dont understand, said Cleo, catching up with the ghost again. What
exam?
All ghosts start out at the bottom, Henry explained miserably. Its called
spirit level one. Over the centuries you can take haunting exams to rise up to
spirit level two and beyond.
What do the levels mean? asked Luke.
They determine what kind of haunting jobs we get to do, replied Henry.
Level one ghosts can only make things go bump in the night, but when you go
up to level two, you get to go Whoooooo! between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., throw
one item a night and spook pets by blowing in their faces.
And level three? asked Cleo.

Light chain work and creepy footsteps.

I get it! said Resus. Going up a spirit level is like getting a promotion.
Thats it, said Henry.
And the longer youve been a ghost, the more you get promoted, said Cleo.
Exactly, said Henry.
How long have you been a ghost? asked Luke.
Just short of three hundred years.
And what spirit level are you at now? asked Cleo.
Henry looked as though he might cry again. Level one.
Ah, said Resus.
The phantom sighed. Id love the chance to scare a cat, but they just ignore
me like everybody else. Ill never get to go Whoooooo!
Of course you will, said Cleo. All youve got to do is pass your exam. It
cant be that hard
Then why has he failed it over a thousand times? roared a voice. Henry
began to tremble as another figure shimmered into existence in front of the
group. And why is he late for his last chance to take it?
The new ghost was large and imposing and just as see-through as Henry.
He wore a neatly pressed uniform and peaked cap, and carried a clipboard. I
dont think you really want to pass this exam, Harper, he snarled.
Henrys transparent bottom lip began to quiver. I do, Mr Aspin, he pleaded,
I really do!
The spectral boss examined the information on his clipboard. Your work is
poor, he grunted. Results are bad. How long did it take you to wake those
skeletons with your mysterious bangs and bumps the other night?
It wasnt my fault, Mr Aspin, whined Henry. Theyre heavy sleepers!
No major scares credited to you in the last half century, continued Aspin. I
dont see why I should let you take your spirit level exam again at all.
This time Henry really did begin to cry. Crystal tears ran down his
shimmering cheeks. Please let me take the test. Ill try harder, I promise!
Mr Aspin sneered. And why should I believe a promise from a pathetic
nobody like you?
Luke stepped forward. Thats not a very nice thing to say, he pointed out. I
think you should apologize.
Mr Aspins see-through face flushed purple. Harper! he roared. Are you
getting little children to fight your battles for you?
Henry was positively shivering now. No, no, Mr Aspin, he sobbed. They
were just
We are not fighting anyones battles, Cleo interrupted. She stared up at the
officious-looking phantom. We just think you should be a little nicer to Henry,
whoever you are
Henry looked as though he might faint.
Whoever I am? bellowed Mr Aspin. Im the president of HISS! The only
spectre ever to reach spirit level one hundred and twenty! The only ghost in
Scream Street qualified to appear at sances and possess the medium! He leant
in close to Cleo. And Im the man who has just decided that Henry Horatio

Harper has failed his spirit level exam.

Henry let out a squeak of terror. Why?
For bringing three unauthorized spirits into Scream Street, of course!
thundered Aspin. You know the rules any fraternizing with ghosts who arent
officially recognized by the presidents office means instant demotion. And since
I cant demote you lower than you already are, you are forbidden from taking
the exam.
Thats not fair! cried Cleo.
I dont care! rumbled Mr Aspin.
Its also not true, Resus pointed out.
What?
Were not real ghosts, Resus continued. Were just under a spell that
allows us to communicate with them. Look He turned to the nearest solid
object the wall of a house and walked into it as hard as he could. Ow!
And Henry told us that you once communicated with a solid person via this
spell, Cleo added. So if he has to be punished for fraternizing with temporary
ghosts in this way, so do you!
Aspin began to growl deep in his throat.
Henry Horatio Harper is going take his spirit level exam, Luke said firmly.
And were going to help him.
Mr Aspins eyes were practically bulging out of his head. How dare you
presume to tell me what will and will not happen in my own organization? he
screeched.
Because I think youre a bully, said Luke, unfazed by the ghostly presidents
anger. I used to have a teacher like you at my old school, and the only way to
deal with people like that is to stand up to them.
A BULLY? the ghost roared. Ill show you a bully!
Then Lukes right, said Cleo. You are a bully. Youve certainly been
bullying poor Henry here. Im sure hes brilliant at haunting, but hes just been
put off his work by having to deal with someone like you every day.
Henry ducked nervously behind Resus, although that didnt achieve much as
he could still clearly be seen through the vampires transparent body.
Ill haunt you every night for the rest of your lives for this! Aspin roared.
No, you wont, said Luke calmly. From what I can tell, youre a stickler for
rules and Im willing to bet that theres a rule against haunting the same family
on a regular basis.
Aspin ground his teeth together and tightened his grip on his clipboard but
he didnt say anything.
I thought so, said Luke. So, please dont threaten us, or say anything to
scare Henry. It isnt a very kind thing to do. Now, what time does his exam
begin?
Aspin checked the time on his shimmering pocket watch. Fifteen minutes
ago!
Then wed better get started, hadnt we? said Luke with a smile. Now,
what are we doing first?
Oh no, sneered Aspin. Theres no we in this. You three can buzz off!

Youve already forced me into letting Harper take this exam. Im not having you
hovering around while it happens.
You cant send us away, said Cleo. Were Henrys support team.
His what?
His support team, the mummy repeated. Lukes his manager for all things
creepy, Im his confidence coach and Resus is his nutritionist.
He doesnt need a nutritionist! yelled Aspin. Hes a phantom. He doesnt
eat!
Just because he doesnt need a nutritionist doesnt mean he cant have one.
Resus grinned. I dont need fake fangs, but Ive got them.
GET OUT OF HERE!
No, we wont, said Luke. Show me where it says in the rules that a
phantom cant have a support team when taking the spirit level exam
Aspin flipped through the transparent pages of text on his clipboard. There
isnt a rule that says that, he said through gritted teeth.
I thought not, said Luke. He turned to Henry, still shivering in fear behind
Resus. You ready to go up to spirit level two then, champ?
Henry glanced nervously from Luke to the furious Mr Aspin and back again.
I, er I suppose so, he squeaked.
Luke grinned. Then lets do it!

Very well, said Mr Aspin, struggling to keep his temper under control. Lets
get this over with, then Harper can go back to his pathetic level one career and I
can get rid of you three annoying little brats.
Cleo began to massage Henrys shoulders. Dont listen to the nasty man,
she soothed. Hes just trying to intimidate you. Now, say it with me: Im a big,
scary phantom!
Henry didnt look sure. But Im not, he moaned.
You are! Cleo insisted. You just dont think you are. Say it. Im a big, scary
phantom!
Henry cleared his throat. Im a big, scary phantom, he whispered meekly.
Louder, Cleo said.
Im a big, scary phantom, said Henry.
All together, cried Cleo, gesturing for Resus and Luke to join in.
Im a big, scary phantom! they all shouted.
Im a big, scary phantom! said Henry at the top of his voice. Luke couldnt
be sure, but it looked as though Henry might be starting to smile.
IM A BIG, SCARY PHANTOM! bellowed Luke, Resus and Cleo together.
IM A BIG, SCARY PHANTOM! Henry bawled.
Thats the spirit, said Cleo.
My turn, said Luke. The thing that always used to worry me about ghosts
until I met some, of course was that you couldnt get away from them. If youre
being chased by a monster, you can lock yourself in a room but thats not a
problem for a ghost. They can walk through walls.
Not all of them, Resus pointed out. My nose still hurts.
Im sure Henry can do it, though, Luke said with a smile.
I dont know murmured Henry.
Well, how did you get into my room earlier? Luke asked.
Henry shrugged. I waited until one of you went downstairs to get a drink,
then I slipped inside when the door was open.
OK, said Luke, but, from now on, you walk through solid obstacles.
If you say so
I do say so. Luke grinned. Because
Henry frowned for a second, unsure what to say. Then he spotted Cleo
mouthing something to him. Oh IM A BIG, SCARY PHANTOM!

Thats right, replied Luke. Now, lets give it a go.

Henry looked worried. What? Now?
Why not? said Luke. Itll be good practice.
Try that fence over there, suggested Resus, pointing to a nearby garden.
If you insist, said Henry, approaching the fence with trepidation. Taking a
deep breath, he began to walk through it.
The result wasnt exactly the smooth process Luke, Resus and Cleo were
expecting. Henry passed through the fence like hot butter melting into toast.
Blobs of him were left behind to run down the wooden slats like troll snot. His
head and chest may have appeared inside the garden, but one of his legs and
both of his hands remained, dripping, on the outside.
Hes falling apart! cried Cleo.
Henry reappeared through the fence piece by piece, looking like a childs
rubber toy that had been overstretched to the point of breaking.
How was that? he asked.
Luke, Resus and Cleo stared at the phantom in horror. His face sagged
dramatically to one side, his stomach bulged over the waistband of his trousers
and his arms were now so long that they dragged on the ground as he walked.
Yikes! exclaimed Resus as Henry did his best to reassemble himself. It
might be an idea to stick to open doors for the time being.
A pale shadow fell over the group as they grabbed bits of Henry and tried to
reshape him. When youve all finished mucking around, snarled Mr Aspin, its
time for Henrys first test!
Yes, sir, croaked Henry, finally looking more or less like himself again.
Whatever you say, sir.
The phantom president consulted his clipboard. The first challenge is for
Harper to Petrify a Pet
Well, that shouldnt be too hard, said Cleo. Cats and dogs have a sixth
sense about ghosts. They frequently see things that people cant.
The problem is, said Luke, that I havent seen Shan the witchs cat around
for ages, and the only dogs in Scream Street are Sir Ottos hellhounds.
I dont want to go anywhere near them. Henry quivered. They scare me!
Wait, said Resus. The rule is that Henry has to scare a pet, right?
Thats right, said Aspin.
Then it doesnt have to be cat or a dog. The vampire beamed. Follow
me
They found Fifi Crudley in her garden, playing with her pet mouse. The
young bog monster was encouraging the mouse to run from left to right by
offering it lumps of cheese.
There you go, said Resus.
A mouse? scoffed Aspin, flicking through his notes.
Its still a pet, Resus pointed out. And Henry shouldnt have to blow too
hard in order to give it a scare.
Mr Aspin, unable to find anything in the rules that forbade a phantom from
scaring a mouse, produced a pen and got ready to make notes. Get on with it,
he growled.

OK, Henry, said Cleo. This is it Just do your best.

The phantom nodded nervously and crouched down in front of the mouse.
Fifi, unable to see him, continued to make the animal dash back and forth.
Frowning in concentration, Henry blew gently.
The mouse stopped, mid-scamper, and turned to face Henry, whiskers
twitching.
Its working! hissed Resus. Blow harder, Henry!
Henry sucked in a deep lungful of air and blew as hard as he could. The
mouse stared at him, blinking in the breeze, then was suddenly lifted off its feet.
It flew straight at Fifi, sinking into her gooey stomach with a sickening schlop!
Squeaker! screamed Fifi, plunging a fist into the muddy folds of her belly
and fishing around for her tiny friend.
The trio were dragging Henry towards the garden gate by the time she pulled
the mouse free.
That was a fail! rumbled Mr Aspin as the group stopped to catch their
breath outside the Crudley familys garden. He clicked his pen and marked a
cross next to the word Pet on his clipboard. And, now that the exam is over,
we can finally
How can it be a fail? Cleo interrupted. All Henry had to do was petrify a
pet
Yeah, and I reckon that mouse will need weeks of therapy to get over what
its just been through, added Resus.
You cant fail Henry for simply blowing too hard, said Luke. Show me
where it says that in the rules.
Aspin glared down at the children for a second, then snarled. He scribbled
out the cross and placed a tick next to Pet. Hes bound to fail on the next task,
though, he sneered. In all the times Harpers taken this exam, hes never
managed a Worrying Wail.
This time will be different, insisted Cleo. Wont it, Henry?
Maybe, said Henry weakly.
Ten minutes later, the group found themselves in a spacious, well-appointed
kitchen. Twinkle the fairy entered from the garden, unaware that he had visitors,
and dropped a pile of vegetables onto the table. Then he hefted a huge iron pot
from a cupboard and set it down next to the vegetables with a clang!
Ive never been inside Twinkles house before, said Cleo, as the fairy began
to chop up a carrot. Its nice.
Were not here to look at the dcor, Resus reminded her. Henrys got to
wail.
Hell do it, said Luke, patting the trembling phantom on the back. Wont
you?
Er
Right, said Aspin. Off you go then, Harper. Lets see you scare the fairy
with a wail.
Henry pursed his lips and began to make a soft ooooh! sound.
Twinkle dropped pieces of carrot into his cooking pot and selected another
from the pile.

Come on, Henry! Cleo encouraged.

Ssh! hissed Aspin. No coaching from the sidelines.
This time, Henrys wail was a little louder. Whooooo!
Still Twinkle didnt react. He finished cutting carrots and placed a large
potato on his chopping-board.
Mr Aspin grinned. Last try, Harper
Henry gave it everything. WHOOOOO!
Everybody turned to Twinkle to watch his reaction
Nothing. The fairy hadnt heard a thing.
No effect whatsoever! announced Aspin happily. Its a fail! He clicked his
pen and lifted his arm to mark a cross on the clipboard and knocked Twinkles
cooking pot off the table with his elbow.
The iron pot landed square on Henrys foot and he howled in pain.
OOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!
Twinkle squealed. Whos there? he demanded. The fairy grabbed a parsnip
and wielded it like a weapon. Tell me whos there!
Luke took the clipboard and pen from the furious Aspin and placed a tick
next to Wail. Thanks for the help! He grinned.

Lukes parents sat together on the sofa; Mrs Watson was reading a book while
her husband was building a model of an aircraft carrier, complete with fighter
planes and helicopters.
Resus waved his hand in front of Lukes dads face. Its just like Fifi and
Twinkle, he said. They cant see or hear us.
Not until this spell wears off and we become solid again, said Luke.
Guys! hissed Cleo. Can we chat after this is done?
The boys looked up to find Mr Aspin glaring at them. The final test, he said
through gritted teeth. The Terrifying Toss!
Right, said Luke, clapping his hands together, lets get started
Mr Aspin read from his notes. Henry Horatio Harper, you have to choose
one item in this room and toss it in a way that scares the occupants of said
room.
Henry gulped. OK. He turned to his new friends. Im not sure I can do this
one, he admitted.
Nonsense, said Cleo. You threw things at us upstairs in Lukes room
earlier, remember?
Henry nodded his translucent head. But that was just for practice, he
whined.
This is real. If I fail this test, Ill be stuck at spirit level one for all eternity.
Then dont fail, said Resus with a smile.
Were right behind you, Luke reassured him.
Time to haunt, Harper, said Aspin. Pick something and toss it.
Henry sighed. OK, he said, scanning the room. Ill toss that trophy.
Luke glanced at his dads golf trophy sitting proudly on a shelf behind the
sofa.
My dad won that for beating his co-workers in a charity match. Hes really
proud of it. If you throw it, it might break.
Yeah, said Resus. Plus, if you pick something like a vase, itll shatter and
really give Lukes mum and dad a fright.
Too late! said Aspin. The choice has been made. Harper, toss when
ready.
Luke watched unhappily as Henry crossed the room and lifted the golf trophy

off the shelf above his mum and dads heads. It was a silver cylinder with a tiny
man preparing to swing a golf club on top. Sorry! the phantom mouthed as he
tossed the award onto the sofa between Mr and Mrs Watson.
Everybody held their breath.
Mr Watson, busy glueing the rotor blades onto one of his aircraft carriers
helicopters, picked up the trophy and glanced up at the shelf it usually sat on. I
must have left this too close to the edge when I dusted earlier, he commented
to his wife. Sorry. Standing up, he replaced the trophy on the shelf.
Ha-ha! exclaimed Aspin, breaking into a little dance. It didnt scare them
in the slightest! He clicked his pen and hovered the nib over the space next to
the word Toss. Its a fail!
Dont be so quick to judge, said Cleo, surreptitiously reaching into the
bandages at her side and retrieving the yellow-tipped wand that she had used to
bring her story characters to life. She gave it a wiggle and muttered a few words
beneath her breath.
Everything happened at once the figure on top of the golf trophy sprung
into life and swung his club. The tiny metallic golf ball shot off the top of the
trophy and cracked Mr Watson on the back of the head.
What the he began.
Suddenly the helicopters and fighter jets launched themselves from the
model aircraft carrier and began to circle the room, launching their plastic
missiles at the two people on the settee.
Mrs Watson ducked behind her book with a scream, but that proved to be of
no help, as a white rabbit leapt from the pages and started to race around the
room, constantly checking the time on an oversized pocket watch. Im late! it
screeched, ears flapping and cotton-bud tail bobbing as it bounded up onto
Lukes mums lap. Im late!
The toy aircraft took this giant bunny to be the enemy and began to bomb it,
firing wave after wave of miniature explosives at the creature. In an effort to stop
this onslaught, the rabbit stomped a giant white foot down on top of the model
aircraft carrier, splitting it in two.
That took my dad ages to build! roared Luke.
As his mum and dad sought shelter behind the couch, Luke felt a wave of
anger wash over him. The bones in his face snapped and quickly reformed,
muscles wrapping around them as his head transformed into that of his
werewolf.
Mr Aspin watched all of this in terror. Eyes wide, he flicked through the pages
of rules on his clipboard. Animation! Assault with a deadly model! Causing a
transformation in another ghost! He gasped. This is incredible!
Henry Horatio Harper stared at his fingers in astonishment. Had he really
caused all of this?
Resus snatched the clipboard from Aspins grasp. This is serious stuff, he
commented.
Cleo peered over the vampires shoulder as he flipped through the skills
required for each of the different spirit levels. This goes way beyond level two.
She smiled.

Lukes ghostly werewolf dropped to its knees and collected up the smashed
parts of his dads aircraft carrier. Broken helipads and snapped lifeboats clutched
in its paws, the wolf raised its snout to the ceiling and howled.
HOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWLLLLLL!
Can you hear a werewolf? Mr Watson asked his wife.
They can hear the howl as well, Resus said to Mr Aspin with a grin. This
surely means Henry has surpassed himself
Cleo flipped through the pages of rules. He has, she said. By my
reckoning, hes now achieved spirit level one hundred and sixty-one!
I have? said Henry, appearing from his hiding-place behind the couch.
One hundred and sixty-one? demanded Aspin, grabbing the clipboard.
But that means
Im forty-one spirit levels above you! cried Henry.
Mr Aspin paled, which was a challenge for a see-through spirit. What?
Hes now your boss! Resus beamed. Say hello to the new president of
HISS!
No! NO! It cant be!
It is, said Henry, appearing confident for the first time since Luke, Resus
and Cleo had met him. And your lunch break is OVER! So, Id get back to
haunting or Ill bust you back to spirit level one!
Eyes flooded with tears, Mr Aspin floated through the nearest wall, just as Mr
and Mrs Watson ran from the room, terrified. Cleo took the opportunity to wave
her character wand again, returning everything to how it had been.
Is it all over? asked Luke, his head slowly coming back to normal as his
werewolf transformation ended.
It might be over for you, said Henry with a smile, but Ive got plenty of
work to do now. Theres a haunting timetable to write, scream scores to keep
track of and Im thinking of doubling the length of the lunch hour! He took
the clipboard from Cleo.
Thank you.
Luke, Resus and Cleo watched as Henry floated through the nearest wall in
one piece this time and disappeared.
Cleo produced the ghost communication wand and polished its red star on
her bandages. Ready to become solid again? she asked. I want to write this
up as a story.
What do you reckon to the title Shiver of the Phantom?
Resus plucked the wand from Cleos fingers. Actually, Luke and I were
thinking of staying invisible for a little while longer, werent we?
Luke nodded. Dr Skullys reorganising his basement today, and we thought
we could help
Cleo scowled at her friends. Youre going to move stuff around and spook
him, arent you?
Of course not! cried Resus, barely able to contain his grin. Whatever gave
you that idea?
Cleo planted her translucent hands on her hips and beamed. Because I can
see right through the pair of you!

Download Scream Street: Wail of the Banshee for free NOW at

www.tommydonbavand.com

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the
product of the authors imagination or, if real, are used fictitiously.
Text 2014 Tommy Donbavand
Illustrations 2010 Cartoon Saloon Ltd
The right of Tommy Donbavand to be identified as author of this work has
been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
1988
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted or
stored in an information retrieval system in any form or by any means, graphic,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, taping and recording,
without prior written permission from the publisher.
Tommy Donbavand is the author of over 65 books for children and young
adults, including the Scream Street, Fangs: Vampire Spy and Space Hoppers
series - and numerous adventures for reluctant and struggling readers, such as
Home, Cyber Shock and My Teacher Ate My Brain.
For more information, please visit
www.tommydonbavand.com