Page 89 of D for Dead

The white brickwork had faded with age and the front yard was empty apart from a child’s swing, the wooden seat hanging from chains that creaked gently in the light breeze. The dark windows of the house were like black eyes staring out, making the house more creepy than normal.

The girls walked the perimeter. Leslie noted there was a single light on in one of the downstairs rooms. Tucker Johnson was home and probably watching television, she concluded.

She recounted the tale of how she had heard the ghostly screams, taking delight in how spooked Amy and Danielle were.

‘It’s getting late. We should start heading back.’

‘Not yet.’ Leslie smiled wickedly at Amy. ‘We have a dare for Danielle to do first.’

‘A dare?’ Danielle sounded unsure. There was a tremor in her voice.

‘Yes, a dare. You want to hang with us, right?’

‘Well, yes.’

‘Then we need to know you’re cool, so you have to pass an initiation.’

‘What do I have to do?’

‘You have to sneak into the house.’

‘No way.’ Danielle was backing up, shaking her head.

‘Don’t be crazy, Leslie.’

‘Shut up, Amy. Danielle will do this because she wants to be our friend.’

‘I’m not going in there.’

‘Yes, you are.’ Leslie’s lips twisted. ‘If you go in the house we will let you hang out with us. If you don’t, we’re all gonna run off and leave you.’

‘You wouldn’t do that.’

‘Try me.’

Danielle looked uncertainly at the house. ‘How about if I just go into the yard?’

‘No, you go into the house and I want you to bring back something from inside; that is the initiation.’

‘But what if the door is locked? How do I get in?’

‘I saw a window open round back. If the door isn’t open, go through there.’

‘What do you want me to get?’

‘I dunno. Surprise us: maybe a book or an ornament, or even a piece of clothing.’

There was a moment of silence while Danielle contemplated. Crystal, who had said nothing throughout the exchange, stood by her sister shuffling her feet, while Amy looked like she wished she could be somewhere else.

‘Okay, I’ll do it.’

‘Good girl. I knew you wouldn’t let us down, Danielle.’

‘Danielle, you don’t have to do this.’

‘Damn it! Shut the hell up, Amy.’

‘No, I’m serious. This is a stupid idea. I won’t leave you, Danielle. I won’t run off if you don’t want to go inside.’