Their parents were gone to the market, leaving the kids behind. Outside, the wind slapped the leaves blowing the empty crisps packets and pieces of papers around the deserted street. It was a windy day of winter, so there was hardly anyone outside. Everything was quiet apart from the noise of the television.


The two children were enjoying each other’s company. “Mum and dad might be late today,” said Jo. “Tell someone who cares,” muttered Lizzie ignoring the anxiety on her brother’s face.
 For some reason Jo couldn’t wait to see his parents. Since he couldn’t resist his impatience Jo decided to walk around the room.Soon Lizzie couldn’t stand her brother’s impatience anymore.
In view of the fact that Jo was blocking the television and walking around like a hungry dog, Lizzie thought she should do something about it.“Would you stop doing that,” shouted Lizzie trying to get her attention back to the television. “Doing what,” asked Jo innocently.
“Sit down and stop messing about,” demanded Lizzie. However, Jo couldn’t think of anything else. He wanted to see his parents as soon as possible.

The clock was ticking. The seconds and minutes ticked slowly and the hours even slower. But still there was no sign of mum and dad.
Jo stated losing his temper and shouted at Lizzie for no reason.
But Lizzie, who knew her brother’s temper very well, just giggled and went back to watching her programme. “Turn that stupid TV will you? It’s giving me an awful headache,” yelled Jo.
 “Calm down Jo, no need to lose your temper like that,” giggled Lizzie turning the television off.
 “Ha, ha you are so hilarious,” replied Jo sarcastically.
“Do I smell sarcasm?” said Lizzie sniffing the air.
“Be quiet, Lizzie,” shouted Jo.

For a while everything was drop dead silent. But something broke the calmness. It was a very peculiar noise.
But the children ignored it thinking that it was the wind blowing something.
 After a few minutes of confusion the sound became louder and louder.
“What the hell was that?” yelled Lizzie covering her ears.
“Whatever it is it’s coming from that direction,” answered Jo pointing towards the door.
 The children quietly made their way to the door, but each time they took a step forward the noise became a nuisance. The two children peeped through the key hole and scanned the stairs but they couldn’t see anything. They wondered what it was.

Then there was a banging noise at the door. Jo and Lizzie stared at each other in terror.
It couldn’t have been their parents because they were coming back at nine but it was just 8:23.
The sound was getting louder and more persistent. Lizzie and Jo cautiously approached the door. For a while they stood rooted to the spot. Then, they tiptoed down the creaky old stairs.
They scanned the house hoping to find their parents but unfortunately they were still outside.

The two children were completely on their own. They decided to go back upstairs. Breathing heavily they went up the stairs trying to make as little noise as possible.
 When the children finally reached the top of the stars, Jo realized that the door was locked!!!
 Now, they were absolutely out of their mind.
What could they do without the key?

The house seemed very empty and dark.
On the ice cold floor with their legs trembling the children stood fixed to the spot.

They had to find the key, so they decided to check the whole house. Jo and Lizzie went together and looked every corner of the house but there still wasn’t any key to be found.
While searching for the key, in the kitchen Lizzie saw something dark moving behind her. She didn’t dare look a back. As quick as a flash of light, Lizzie’s blood ran ice cold. Even her legs were shaking.
Lizzie gasped.
 But Jo hadn’t seen what Lizzie saw. Therefore he looked behind her. To his amazement nothing was there except a crawling spider.
Seeing his sister curl up like a monkey Jo had to laugh.
“Lizzie, open your eyes. It was just a spider,” laughed Jo.
But Lizzie still stayed in the same position.“God’ sake Liz it was just a blooming spider,” shouted Jo.
Lizzie opened her eyes very carefully.“I swear I saw something and t wasn’t a spider,” protested Lizzie looking at her brother’s expression.“Yeah, whatever. We have to find the key come on,” shouted Jo.
The children searched each room once again but unfortunately there was everything apart from the key. Lizzie and Jo checked every single room including the toilet and the bathroom.Then they realized there was only one room left. And it was the forbidden attic.Regarding their parents the children weren’t allowed to step feet near that room.
“But Jo mum said we aren’t allowed to go in there,” muttered Lizzie struggling hard not to fall of the stairs.Lizzie was shaking really badly that she couldn’t even balance herself.
“But we have to find the key and don’t worry we are in this together,” replied Jo taking his sister’s hands.Jo could feel that Lizzie’s hands were sweaty. Without saying another word Jo and Lizzie headed towards the attic. As they took a step towards the door, it began to creak.Hardly breathing, the children entered the gloomy attic without thinking.
The room was very old and spine-chilling. It was full of spider webs and extremely dim.Jo and Lizzie could hear creepy noises. They wanted to get away but they had to find the key.In the darkness, on the middle of the room the children stood paralysed.Then they started to examine the every single corner of the room.
Suddenly, Jo saw something moving behind him.
Jo was terrified.He didn’t know what to do. Running away was an option but Jo couldn’t leave his sister behind.

At the very moment the children heard footsteps.
All at once they started to look for a way out.
There was a small window which hadn’t been locked.
Would they be able to fit through?
There was no time to think, the children started climbing towards the window. TOO LATE!!!The footstep came closer and closer.
Lizzie and Jo got more nervous by the second.


They hurried but they couldn’t escape.
Without thinking Jo threw the torch towards the direction of the footstep. Then, there was an almighty scream.
The children went closer, sweat running all over their faces.
Jo took the torch, still shaking and hoping that nothing would happen.
They flashed the torch on; the attic was filled with light.
Their heart was pounding as they stared at the face of the intruder.
Lizzie and Jo smiled. All their fears had died away.
It was only their dad trying to find their children.
Dad grinned in pain and took something out of his pocket.
It was the key!!!

Grishma is a student of Year 7, Bulmershe School

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