Katy And The Huanted House.

It was a witchy house: the low-slung roof, that quiet gray paint, those squinting, shutters  on the windows: and the empty porch rocker that rocked, rocked, rocked day and night.

The McPhersons had bought it after their honeymoon. They had lived there for over sixty years. Mr. McPhersons had died one rainy night in June. Mrs. McPhersons was so sad, she locked herself up in the house, and never came out again. Most people thought she had died, because no one saw her again.

Many people said the house was haunted too, for they could hear Mrs.McPherson sobbing with sadness, on rainy nights. Katy Andrew grew up with these stories, and she believed them when she was young, but when she grew older, she didn't. She had walked by that house, every day, too school, for eight years, and never had heard or seen anything strange.

That’s what she was  doing at the gate at six-o'clock, on a rainy evening in June. Her best friend had said that morning that she had heard sobs coming from the house, the night before. “You have been reading too many books.” Katy told her friend .

“Let”s make a deal,” her friend had said “ If you spend a whole night in that house, and still don’t believe me, I will not read a single book for the whole week.”

Katy said she would do this, if her parents let her, which they did. And that was why she was here, at the haunted house.  

Her red hair, whipped around her, as she opened the gate. She jumped when it gave a little squeak. She walked slowly up the walkway to the house. Rock, rock. rock. went the porch rocker.

Katy seriously thought of turning and running away. But something about the house made her go on. Up the stars, she went. right up to the door. Then she stopped. Very slowly, she reached out and opened the door. It gave a loud squeak. It opened into a small room. Katy took a step inside and looked around the room. To her left she saw a small book case. By it was a big box, that held wood for the wood stove, that was right by it. There was a window right in front of Katy. Under the window, was two chairs. They looked like they were as old as the house was. A small coffee table was in front of the chairs . On her right, she saw a door. That must lead to rest of the house, she thought.

Katy took another step in side. The door gave a squeak, and then it shut itself. Katy looked to see if there was a light switch or a lamp, to turn on. She found a kerosene lamp. Katy rummaged in her shoulder bag that she had with her, for a match, found one and lit the lamp.

Now that there was some light in the room. Katy saw that the walls were a sickening yellow, and the floor was a dark brown.

Katy set her bag on the coffee table, took up the lamp, and went to the door and tried it. It opened and she went in. This room was really smaller than the other room. There was nothing in  it except for a large chest, another door, and a staircase. Katy decided to try the chest first. It was locked, so she tried the door. It went into another small room.

In one corner was a large four poster bed. By it was a night stand. In another corner was a dresser. There were all sorts of books and clothing, spread all over the room. None of this stuff interested Katy, so she went back into the hallway.

Time to try the stairs, Katy thought to herself. Up the stairs she went. Every step she took, the steps squeaked. When she got to the top of the stairs, yet another door was in front of her. Like all the others, it was not locked, and Katy stepped into the attic. There was all sorts of stuff, all over the room. she saw a big chest, small chest, cardboard boxes, wooden crates, dressers, and two wardrobes.

Katy went to the nearest chest, and opened it. As she sifted through all the dresses and hats that were in the chest, she felt something hard at the bottom, under all the stuff and it wasn't the bottom of the chest. She moved all the clothes out of the way and there under all the stuff, was a small music box.

It was about as big as a pencil box. It was a lovely green and brown,  and the lock was broken, so it was easy to open the box. As she did, it started to play a soft little melody Katy never heard before. Listening to it made her feel sad and happy at the same time. She felt as if she was being drawn into another world. A world that nothing mattered, nothing was important.

Katy did not know how long she sat there listening to the music, not that it mattered.  But she was soundly snapped back to reality when she heard someone say, “ It’s beautiful, isn't  my dear.”

She turned around. Standing by the door was an old lady. She had to be in her nineties, at least. She wore a blue dingy skirt, with a flowered white blouse. She had long gray hair and she was leaning on a old wood cane.

“Y.. yes, it is.” Katy stuttered.

“It was my mothers.” the women said, limping towards Katy. “ I remember, when I was a child , listening to it before going to bed. It always made me feel secure.

“It’s very lovely.” Katy answered, not sure what to do. By this time, the women was right by Katy, and looking at the box, loveling.  They stayed like that for what felt like hours too Katy, even though it was only a few seconds. Before the women said with a start, “Oh my, where are my manners. I’m Sally McPhersons.” and she stretched out her hand towards Katy.

“Katy Andrew.” Katy said, shaking hands with Mrs McPhersons, then standing up.

“It’s very nice to met you Miss Andrew,” Mrs Mcpherson said. “Come down stairs and I will get you some tea.”

Katy followed Mrs.Mcphersons down the stairs, and back into the first room. Mrs McPhersons went over to the stove and started to make some tea. Katy sat in one of the chairs.

“Um… Mrs McPhersons” Katy said. “ If I’m intruding, I’ll leave.”

“Oh, no, that will not be necessary “ Mrs. McPhersons answered as she turned around, holding a tray  that had a teapot and two tea cups. “It's been a long time since I had a visitor.”

Mrs Mcphersons set the tray down on the table, and handed a cup to Katy.

“Thank you, Mrs McPhersons.” Katy said, taking the cup.

“There’s no need for that. You can call me Sally.” She said, setting down in the other chair.

“Mrs.. I mean Sally.” Katy said “Can I asked you a question?”

“You just did.” Sally said before taking a sip. “But you can asked me another one.”

“You said that you hadn't had a visitor in quite awhile. What did you mean by that?”  Katy asked before she too, took a sip.

“I meant just that. The last time I had a visitor was over fourteen years ago.” Sally said with a far away look in her eyes. “A young man, had came here to be alone for awhile.”

“Why?” Katy asked.

“Because he was to be married the next day and he needed a some time alone for awhile.  Or did I say that already?” Sally did not wait for an Answered. before she started talking again.“It’s rather strange. The only time I ever get visitors is when that certain someone needs time alone or a friend, or something along that line.” At this she paused and looked at Katy.

“Far as I know, I don't need a friend.” Katy said, with a small smile. Sally smiled back at her and said “Why did you come here then? Most people think this place is haunted.”

“I know that.” Katy said taking another sip of tea.

“Then why did you come here?” Sally asked, curiously.

“Because my friend said she heard someone crying last night and I said I didn’t believe her. So we made a deal.” Katy said, a little hesitant at admit why she was there.

“Oh I understand” Sally said “So you came here to see if there really was a ghost.”

“Something like that” Katy answered.

“Well there isn't any ghost here, just little old me.” Sally said smiling again. The two girls sat there for a few minutes in quiet, before Katy asked, “Um Sally, why do you stay up here all alone?”

“Well, mainly because I don't have anyone to live with. After my dear John died, I didn’t have any relative to move in with. That and everyone in the village thinks I'm a witch.” Sally said the last part hotly.

“A witch?” Katy said in surprise.

“Yes, a witch.” Sally explained “Ever since my husband and I moved here. I started studying herbs. Doing so, everyone thought I was witch.”

Seeing that Sally was getting a little mad, Katy changed the subject. The two girls talked for a while. Then Sally went to bed in her room, and Katy slept in the chairs.

The next morning, after breakfast. Katy got her bag and, followed by Sally, went to the door.

“Goodbye Sally.” Katy said opening the door.

“There’s one thing I don’t understand.” Sally said “Normally people come here for a friend.”

“I don’t think I need a friend Sally. I think you did.” Katy said. Then she turned and went. Home owing to her-self to come back and have tea with Sally McPhersons again.