Before I start the chapter, I deeply apologise for such a long wait. I won't be surprised if you guys stopped reading this book. I hope this chapter makes up for the wait, though :)

RECAP: Addison (the main character) lost a bet against one of her best friends, Brandon and is now dared to spend a night in the haunted mansion. 

Things to know about Addison: Acting is her first love. She is the head of the school's drama club. She has two best friends, namely Brandon McCallan and Sydney Pelt. Her father is a famous movie set designer.

Chapter III

"Can you reconsider?"

"Nope," Brandon answered for the thousandth time this night.

He forced the duffel bag into my arms and smirked. I glared at him with all the power I could muster in it. If I ended up dead, I was going to drag his sorry ass to hell along with myself. I'm sure Satan wouldn't mind  having an extra passenger in his realm.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" I pouted at Sydney who rolled her eyes at me.

"You'll survive. If you don't, I'm sure you won't rest in peace until you've haunted Brandon enough to piss his pants," she shrugged.

I gave her a flat look. Some best friends I had.

"Now go on. Mom wants be back by ten because Bree is coming home for two days and she wants me help her clean the mess," Brandon said, referring to his elder sister, Brianna.

"Fine. I'll meet you losers tomorrow," I huffed and hugging my duffel bag, I started my way carefully towards the abandoned house. The worst part was that the house seemed scarier at night, especially with the crickets chirping.

I didn't look back at my friends as I took a few steps forward. I closed my eyes briefly, muttering a plea of help to no one in particular. Gulping once, I took a deep breath and before I could even think of backing out, I ran towards the house as if my life depended on it.

Oh the irony.

I reached the porch of the house and let out a breath.

I could do this. Well, I really didn't have a choice so I had to do this. Oh well.

Without letting my mind travel into the land of my vivid imagination, I stepped on the stairwell, cringing as it creeked under my feet. I hugged my duffel tighter and proceeded towards the door.

The handle of the door was masked with rust and I really didn't feel like laying my hand upon it but went ahead with it anyway. Grimacing at how it felt under my touch, I quickly twisted the knob and pulled the door open. It took a few hard pulls for it to budge but once it did, it let out a screechy groan.

I coughed as heavy dust invaded my mouth and nose.

Recovering from my coughing session, I peered inside into the darkness. I could barely make out anything since it was pitch black. I fetched my torch and switched it on.

I entered the house and found myself to be in what seemed like a living room with an old wooden staircase on my right, leading up to a corridor which I assumed might have the rooms.

On my left, there was what seemed like a kitchen, with unused utensils gathering coats of dust. As I ventured deeper into the house, I observed that it seemed like just any other ordinary house but a bit too old and covered in dust.

Or maybe that was what I kept telling myself, anyway.

I decided to make my sleeping area in the kitchen, where if needed, I could use the utensils to defend myself. As I entered the kitchen, I began setting my duffel bag down but immediately changed my mind when I saw the gleaming metal under the torch light.

Ten big knives were stacked in a holder near the counter.

It would be easier for anyone to use these on me. Plus didn't the stories say that Mr. Spooker stabbed his wife and lover?

I shuddered and quickly picked up my bag before backing out of the kitchen.

Going upstairs was a no-no since the ghost was most likely to be in the room where either he stabbed the victims or killed himself and I was in no mood to go introduce myself to him.

Deciding that the living room was probably the safest option right now, I opened my duffel and fetched my sleeping bag. After I spread it, I snuggled into it, clutching my grandfather's old walking stick in my hands incase of any emergency.

Taking a deep breath and willing myself to keep the haunted thoughts out of my mind, I got ready to sleep.

Let the slumber party with Mr. Spooker begin.

~~~

Thump

Thump

CRASH!

I jolted awake at the sudden sound. My heart immediately jumping up and down. The walking stick was in my clutches in an instant. The moon light illuminated a few places, giving a visible outline of the things in this house.

Adrenaline rushed through me as I clutched my weapon tighter upon hearing some whispered grumbles.

Was this it? Was I finally meeting my doom?

The thumping seemed to be coming from upstairs, where the rooms were. I gulped as I thought whether I should wait for Mr. Spooker to come or go to him myself. Well, it was a stupid thought but what if while hiding, I came directly where he could sense me instead of the opposite?

My heart started beating louder as the thumps increased.

I slowly got up, deciding that it was better to attack rather than just sit and wait. Suddenly, I felt understanding towards the protagonist of the horror movie I'd seen.

Gripping my weapon in hand, I slowly stepped towards the staircase.

I climbed one step but immediately stilled when a scratching sound seemed to come from the hallway just behind the staircase. A deep chill ran up my spine as I thought of my doom approaching.

I stepped down from the staircase, ready to go behind the staircase. Taking a deep breath I mentally apologised to the people I cared about. Might as well do it before I died.

I'm sorry Mom for not airing the washroom after I poop.

I'm sorry Dad for not telling you that I accidentally dropped your toothbrush in the toilet twice and forgot to wash it, or tell you about it, not even when you still use the same brush.

I'm sorry Sydney for eating your share of the dinner cake everyday you come home.

I'm so not sorry Brandon because I stole your Power Rangers collection for my Barbie dolls when we were five.

Once I was done with most of my apologies, I closed my eyes briefly before opening them and swiftly turning towards the noise. Unexpectedly, I crashed into someone.

That's when my reflexes kicked in and I screamed. "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH"

That was followed my a very manly shriek. "AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH"

It took a moment of shrieking my lungs out when I realised that the scream of the one in front of me was- human like.

Not that I'd ever heard a ghost scream or anything but even though that was the case, I'd imagined that it would be a bloodcurlingly disgusting sort of a scream rather than a manly, deep and husky.

When my senses settled in, I opened my eyes to come face to face with none other than Adrian Carter, also famously known as the Hollywood heartthrob, whose expression most certainly mirrored mine.

Which according to me was- What the @#$% ?

(This is who I'm imagining as Adrian but feel free to imagine him as whoever you want :)

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So.... How was it? I know it is a bit short but the next one will be longer :)

I hope you all enjoyed it. I promise you won't have to wait this long for the next update!

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Love you all <3