Every Halloween, the children of Ravenbrook would steer clear of the creaky, dilapidated mansion perched at the edge of town. They shared vivid ghost stories of the mansion’s previous owner, a lonely old man named Mr. Hemlock who they said, still roamed his corridors at night.
One Halloween, young and fearless Tommy decided to challenge the sinister tales. Dressed as a stealthy ninja, he decided to investigate the mansion. The front door groaned as he pushed it open. Cobwebs hung everywhere as he stepped inside, making his heart pound hard. The spooky aura was very real.
Suddenly, a rustling sound echoed from upstairs. Tommy froze. It was coming closer. He began to fear his decision might have been misguided but couldn’t turn back now.
As the rustling grew louder, he mustered courage and climbed the stairs. Finally, the source of the noise approached, and Tommy braced himself. Out cruised an old man, pushed in his squeaky wheelchair by a glossy, golden Labrador Retriever, wagging his tail eagerly!
Tommy looked at him, surprised. “Mr. Hemlock?” he ventured.
With a toothy grin, the man replied, “No, lad, I’m Frank. Moved here last week. Pure bliss, save for this wheelchair’s squeaking!” And they all laughed heartily, bidding farewell to the ghost of Mr. Hemlock.