Ghost Story by L. O'B

Fear rushed through his body. He began to shake uncontrollably. The fireworks stopped and the mist grew. He heard the crowd outside go silent and a few screeches were let out. This was the story of young Ben Mantony. It begins with an old myth about a small bungalow around the corner from where  Ben lived. It was a lonely, cold and dark looking bungalow. Some say a man lives inside. He had not been seen leaving the house for 40 years. The house was old, dark and no lights were ever on inside. Tall gates covered in dead plants and rust surrounded the house boundaries. The gate was locked with heavy chains and locks. No one dared to go near the house or attempt to enter the gates. There were old stories of teenagers climbing over the fence and never coming back. Legend has it that the man living inside was cursed to stay in the house and was being guarded by ghosts that circled the house constantly, banishing anyone who dared take a step on the property.

There was an old homeless man who lived on the pavement outside the house who claims that he was the good friend of the man who lives in the house and knew him well. The homeless man’s name was El Pasto. He was of Italian origin and lived his life as a street magician known as “The Magic Hobo”. He had little or no money and wore the same ragged old cloths, torn and dirt covered. He had a long beard and wore sandals and socks on his feet and a farmer’s cap on his head. He lived on the pavement outside the locked up house and performed for the passing by people during the day. He was a terrible magician. Some say he was using it as an excuse so he could stay there and wait for the day his old friend emerged from the house at last, others say he’s simply mental. He hadn't moved from the spot for years and only left to get food and water. He had no family or friends and would not speak to anyone.

A five minute walk from the house there lived a young boy called Ben. He was a normal 12 year old boy who lived in a house with his parents and two sisters. He was the youngest in the family and felt he was treated differently than the rest and often left out or forgotten about. In school he had problems getting noticed and fitting in.

One day he overheard the older kids in school talking about the old bungalow. He was curious about this. It made him think about the mystery surround the house. An idea began to form in his head. He decided that to get more attention and finally get recognition, that he was going to enter the house and find out the mystery and become a hero. He picked Halloween night as the time he was going to attempt to do this. He chose this night as this was when everyone would be outside and the house often attracted a big crowd at Halloween.

Halloween night finally came. Ben dressed up as a llama to gain maximum attention.  He told his parents he was going trick or treating and left the house. He ran with excitement down the road to the old bungalow in excitement.

When he got there he saw El Pasto performing for the crowd surrounding the house. Perfect timing thought Ben. It was a misty foggy night and already pitch black. The sound of fireworks and bangers going off around the neighbourhood filled the air, creating a strange, spooky and exciting atmosphere for Ben

Ben crawled around to the back gate of the house and began to climb. He reached the top, he jumped and when he hit the ground the atmosphere changed suddenly. Fear rushed through his body. He began to shake uncontrollably. The fireworks stopped and the mist grew. He heard the crowd outside go silent and a few screeches were let out. Completely coincidently lighting began to strike as if Ben was in a ghost story written by an author who can’t think of any more ways to build the atmosphere.