short story

The Missing Child

By Charlie Mackinnon

There were once four children in the quiet town of Brentwood: Jack, Harry, Tom and Ed. Their friend Joe had been missing for two years now and the children were starting to get on with their lives. The children were on their way to school on a cold, bleak Monday morning in Ed’s mum’s car. The children started singing ‘Humpty Dumpty’ loudly; before they drove slowly past ‘The Haunted House’ and the rain started pouring heavier. The children’s singing faded. The sound of thunder crashed against the car windows. The children screamed “AHHH” in both fear and shock. They stared nervously down the road to the old mansion, the mood was silent.

The children arrived at school, still scared at the events which had just occurred. They sensed something scary in the atmosphere. “Let’s go down that road to the mansion later. I dare you” said Harry, confidently. “No way!” exclaimed Tom and Jack, at the same time. “Come on you big girls!” said Harry. The boys trembled with fear but nodded in agreement with Harry. They were going to the house tonight.

The boys left school at 3 o’clock. The thought of the spooky house in their minds all day. “Hurry up you wimps!” shouted Harry with a smile on his face, who was already half way down the road in front of the other 3 boys. The other 3 increased their walking pace slowly but uncertainly.

After the long walk up to the house, the boys stood together. Ed was out of breath already. The sight of the house made them shake with fear, although Harry was smirking, unaware of why any of the boys were scared. “I-I-I’m not sure about this boys” mumbled Jack. “Oh come on it’ll be a laugh!” laughed Harry. “Look lads, I will go up there and check it’s all ok, I will put my arm up in the air when you can come down, ok?” said Harry, dominantly. The other boys nodded.

Harry strutted confidently to the house, he got so far that the boys lost sight of him. Thunder struck loudly. The boys heard a scream. The sky turned as dark as the darkest shade of night. “HARRY!!” shouted Jack. A brash crash of thunder collided again. A loud scream encompassed the whole area. The three boys sprinted as fast as they could towards the house. Rain, wind and thunder were pushing them away from the house.

Suddenly, the boys stopped in pure shock. What had they just seen? Not a word was said. You could hear a pin drop. The boys stood in the doorway of the mansion, before they all screamed in unison. Before they could run away, the door slammed shut. There stood a tall dark figure. Next to him, both tied up, were Harry and Joe. A frightening cackle and laugh echoed the house. The 4 boys, and Joe, were never to be seen again.