Chapter 8 - July

Logan reaches Cody at the house among the trees, just as Cody picks the lock and opens the door. Both boys enter the enclosed porch. They feel instantly relieved to have a roof over their heads. They turn around in wait of their friends, hearing the approaching barking of the dogs.

Al pullls her hand back when the dog snaps at it. "Good puppy," she insists, reaching out again in an attempt to pet it, though now gulping nervously. If it makes another sign of attack, she'll run as well.

Cody looks at the enclosed porch they are in, and sees the front door of the house. He starts knocking and calling.
"Hey! Anyone in there?" he tries to open, not hearing any answer. He knocks again, louder.

He hesitates then goes back next to Logan looking outside and readying himself to lock the porch door as soon as Alice and Alana are inside.

"No, silly dog!", Al calls after it as it leaves. She then returns to her task of getting to the house.

Alana reaches the house.



They look out and shout encouragements to Alice, the only one left outside.


"Come on!! You can do it!"

Alice wonders how it comes that she is the last one out... worried by being alone with some scary dogs... and worried even more that she has been the slowest of the kids, she sprints to the house.

Alice makes it to the house, and they close and lock the door behind them.
It's been one bad turn of luck after the other, since they met Chet and his bullies, and this is the first moment they can catch their breath.

They step away from the porch door and windows, as the dogs eventually catch up and start snarling and growling in a frenzied rage just outside. The hunters can hear them scratching at the door and bumping against it.



They look around. Some wicker chairs. Some old furniture. Pots of all sizes with dead plants. The house front door is on the north wall.

"That's locked," he comments. "I guess I should try open it. We're not gonna get out through those puppies anytime soon... what do you say?"

Go ahead, we need to get away from the dogs. There's no telling how long they'll wait there. Hopefully we can find a phone or even better a back door. Logan says as they catch their breath.

"Get out?", Al asks in total surprise. "Why would you want to get out? Look around. We're in a spooky house! If we're going to find more ghosts anywhere, it's here! Let's look around while we're here. Or are you scared?"

"Er... I'll pass on more ghosts," he says, getting to work on the lock with his swiss army knife.

As he works, he tells Alice "I'm Cody, by the way. Crazy hair is Alana, and the handsome one's Logan."

"It's Al," Al says. "I don't know why everyone insists on Alana if Al sounds so much more fun. And it's also shorter. You can say it three times in the time it takes you to say Alana once. Al Al Al!"

Alice takes a breather for a moment. Leaning with one hand against the wall. She is looking around at you all.

"Cody, Logan, Al Al Al" she gives everyone a smile and a nod. "Well met. I am Alice. What did you do to those guys that they are so intent on killing you? And why do you sound so hopeful on finding ghosts?"