Murder in the Haunted Castle
Missed the story so far? Catch up here: Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-one Chapter Twenty-two Chapter Twenty-three Chapter Twenty-four Chapter Twenty-five Chapter Twenty-six Chapter Twenty-seven Chapter Twenty-eight Chapter Twenty-nine Chapter Thirty Chapter Thirty-one
James and Maddie decided they needed to search the castle for Kim. The twins immediately offered to help.
“We could split up,” Cat said.
“Yeah,” Lynx said. “You two could search one half of the castle and we could search the other.”
“I don’t know,” James replied. “I really don’t like the idea of you two running around this place on your own. There’s a lot of weird stuff going on, not to mention a murderer on the loose.”
Cat handed James a walkie-talkie. “Here, have this. We can keep in contact with each other at all times, it’ll be great.”
Maddie was pacing up and down the room. “Can’t we just go now? We need to find Mum!”
“Alright,” James said, grimly. “You two search the upper floors, me and Maddie will search this floor and downstairs.”
“At last!” Maddie opened the door to leave, and screamed.
James bundled past her outside, followed by the twins.
Standing in the corridor was the ghostly little girl with the skull for a face. She let out a low, creepy giggle.
James strode up to her and wiped his hand against her cheek. His fingertips came away white.
“It’s makeup,” he said, lifting his hand to show the others. “She’s no more a ghost than we are.”
The little girl, mouth open in shock, turned and ran.
“That’s so disappointing!” Cat said.
“Yeah, we finally thought we’d discovered some real ghosts for once,” Lynx said.
“Not today you haven’t,” James replied. “Come on, let’s get moving.”
They split up, the twins heading one direction, James and Maddie in the other.
“I don’t understand,” Maddie said, as they ran down the grand staircase to the reception hall. “Why are there people wandering around the castle pretending to be ghosts?”
“I don’t understand it either, but let’s think about that after we’ve found your mum,” James replied.
Maddie took James’ hand and held it tight.
They reached the bottom of the stairs and James paused and looked Maddie in the eyes. “Don’t worry, we’ll find her. Wherever she is, your mum knows how to look after herself.”
Maddie nodded, her eyes moist with tears.
They decided to search the kitchens and the grand dining room first. As they ran through the hall, a bunch of cats scattered at their approach, as though realising that these two humans meant business.
Both the kitchens and the dining hall were empty, apart from yet more cats.
“Come on,” James said. “There’s a lot more of this castle to search yet.”
Maddie nodded, but didn’t say anything. James could see she was close to tears again.
They headed back to the large entrance hall, and James almost collided with Walter, who was dragging a suitcase along the stone floor.
“Walter!” James said, pulling up short. “Is everything alright?”
Walter let go of the suitcase. “I’m afraid Agnes and I have to leave.”
“Are you crazy?” James said, immediately regretting his choice of phrase. “The weather out there is still pretty bad.”
“I know, I know, but Agnes has taken a turn for the worse and I need to get her somewhere she can get help if she needs it,” Walter said.
Maddie tugged at James’ hand.
“I’m sorry I can’t be of any help,” James said. “But Maddie’s mother has gone missing, and…” James faltered to a stop, not sure how to explain everything that he had seen recently.
“Of course, of course,” Walter said, taking hold of the suitcase again. “You carry on, I hope you find her soon.”
James turned to Maddie, but she wasn’t looking at him.
“Maddie?” he said, as she let go of his hand and walked towards a window only a few feet from where they stood.
What now? James thought.
See you on Wednesday for Chapter Thirty-three.
Cheers,
Ken
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