It was one cool fall morning. Kids were outside of school talking. Mary started talking about how stupid they have to go to school on this wonderful October 31st. Her friends joined in the conversation. Then they were talking about their plans for Halloween that day making sure everyone knew.
"Okay. So right after school, go home, get ready, and meet at my house at 3:30. Okay?" Amy said.
Mike said, "Sounds like a plan."
The bell rung and students started running inside to get to their classes. The group of friends said their good byes and headed on in.
"See you guys at lunch!" Karen exclaimed as they walked in the school.
Silver Creek was a big middle school with about 800 students. The school itself, is very old and at times scary. Rumors go around that at night ghosts roam the basement. Why? Well, this rumor began a long while ago in the school's history. A girl was new to this school. Her name was Hillary. Hillary was often made fun of. No one would help her around the school and show her where things were. She got lost and couldn't find her class. She walked down the basement stairs, supposedly blanked out, fell and was severely hurt. Hillary was rushed to the hospital but it was too late, she was already dead. So supposedly she haunts that basement and wanders around the school at night. People are afraid of this rumor while others think it's just a joke. Some say if you put your ear to basement door you can hear her screaming. Some can hear it, some don't.
Hillary's locker is also said to be haunted. People who have had it before ended up in catching diseases and other sicknesses. Some even eventually died. The principal got worried himself and closed down that locker. Rumors go around that sometimes you can hear that locker being banged from the inside as if Hillary wanted to come out because the bullies locked her in there. Some say those who've had anything bad happen to them and had anything related Hillary has had, joined her in the basement and roam the school at night with her.
Well, no worries. The only one that goes in the basement is the janitor, and he seems to be fine. Kids usually joke around about it during Halloween time. They make fun of it like saying "OH MY GOSH GUYS HELP HILLARYS COMING FROM THE BASEMENT." Some laugh, some think the people making fun of her are stupid and think Hillary will haunt them, some really honestly don't care.
It was 5th period, the most boring for the group of kids. Danny decides to have fun and took out his cell phone. He sent a text to the friends he's hanging with tonight. He texts, "Hey, I'm Hillary J" In the other rooms their phones silently vibrate in the backpacks and pockets. They took out their phone and hid it under their desks. They read the message and they laughed and decided to text back. Simultaneously, the teachers of each kid caught them while they text back. They took their cell phones away and the teachers told them they will have detention right after school. The children complained and thought to themselves. "Stupid Danny!" They sat through class disappointed imagining his friends out trick-or-treating while they were stuck in detention.
The 45 minutes finally ended, the group sat at the same table as they always do at lunch. They talked about how they got a text from Danny and how the teacher said they would have detention. Danny came to the table. All the friends glared at him.
"What?" Danny questioned.
"Because of you we all have detention!" Said Mary.
Danny then responded saying, "You guys do too? Cool! Now we can have it all together! I got it too.
Danny expected them to laugh, but they all looked at him.
"Ok sorry! We'll just have to start right after detention. What's it going to hurt? One hour? We'll just stay a little longer."
Mike said, "I guess that's alright, it was kind of funny too."
They all nodded their heads and began to eat their lunches. They talked about the rumors of the school and about how much fun they would have tonight.
Time passes as the last bell finally rings. Kids ran from their last period to their lockers and straight out the door yelling out 'Happy Halloween!' The group of kids sighed as they headed for the room where detention was to be taken place.
"One….More….Hour!" Amy said.
"I hope this goes by fast." Said Mary.
Danny apologized again, "Guys I'm sorry, okay? What else can I do?
"Well, you could give us all your ca--" Mike tried to say.
Danny quickly interrupted as he rolled his eyes, "Mike it was rhetorical question."
"Rhetorical what?"
Danny wanted to respond but the janitor walked by with his mop. He slowly moved examining the group of friends, especially the girls. As he finally turned toward the other hallway, Mary and Amy said Freak!. They all laughed and entered detention. As they entered they sat down close by each other. They looked out the window and saw kids already at doors getting candy.
"Man, they are so darn lucky!" said Mike as he stared at Danny.
Danny just rolled his eyes and watched the detention monitor come in. The monitor was really old and big around the waist. He had a bald spot in the back of his head. He had a mean look in his eyes.
"Thanks to you guys I have to stay here in school. Why can't you just be good little kids? Man you're lucky you didn't live back then when they hit you with rulers!"
The group of kids just rolled their eyes and smiled. It was so quiet you could hear the clock going Tick…. Tock…. Tick…. Tock… There was about 5 minutes left and the monitor got up.
"I have to go to the bathroom. You guys better stay in this room! If I ever find out that any of you come out before I dismiss you, your in a lot of trouble!" He left the room and shut the door hard. The kids jumped up from their seats. They talked about his weird appearance and funny things about him. Before they know it they realize it was 15 minutes past the time they were supposed to be dismissed. They looked around.
"Man, I wonder where he is!" Amy said.
"Yeah! Times a wastin!" Mike said.
"We'll never get out of here!" Karen complained.
More time passes. 5 minutes, then another, and another! It's now 30 minutes past the time of dismissal.
"Okay, you know what? I'm tired of waiting! I'm outta here." Danny said as he headed to the door. Danny jiggled the handle. It wouldn't open! Danny started shaking around. He was yelling "HELP DON'T JUST STAND THERE THE SPIRIT OF HILLARY IS AROUND ME! I CAN FEEL IT!"
His friends were confused and didn't know what to do. The girls stood close together as the boys watched confused. Danny all of a sudden stopped. He just laid there. No sound was heard. It was quiet for 10 seconds. His friends were standing there speechless. Amy started to tear. All of a sudden they hear laughter. Danny got up and started laughing.
Mike got pissed and yelled at him, "DUDE DON'T YOU EVER DO THAT! EVER AGAIN! THAT'S FREAKY!"
Danny replied, "Chill man it was a joke. Now seriously let's get out of here."
The friends shrugged and decided to follow. Danny led them down the main hallway. They come upon the janitor.
"Hey there. Have you seen the detention monitor?" Mike asked as they approached him.
"He left a mess." The janitor replied back and continued to walk. The friends were confused and didn't care. They ran toward the main door and Danny took the handle. He jiggled it. His friends remember him back in the room. Mike pushed him aside and took the handle. It was locked. It wouldn't open.
"How could it be locked from the inside?" Mary asked with a confused face.
The group uselessly began to jiggle the door. They were all scared and worried.
"Guys, let's just wait in the room and wait for the monitor." Karen suggested.
"I'm not sure that he's coming back." Mike replied.
"What are you talking about?" Amy said.
"Maybe he's just playing a joke with us or testing us." Danny said.
"I say we look for him and get the keys and get out of here!" Mary suggested frightfully.
The five kids decided to just go back to the room and think about it. They wanted to try a window and get through there, but it was jammed. Now they were getting really scared. Suddenly, the lights turned off. Everyone was scared they all yelled. The found each other in the darkness and stayed close.
"Maybe the janitor thought we left and decided to start to close down the school." Karen said.
"Hopefully. Otherwise…. Hil---"
"DON'T GO THERE DANNY!" Mike said as he was frightened to believe about Hillary.
They all stood there in the darkness hoping for something to happen. They heard a sound from down the hall. It was getting louder each second as if it was approaching the five kids. They came closer together because they were so frightened. It just got faster and louder. Louder and faster. And then suddenly… The door swung open. The girls screamed! The figure seemed to have been scared and began to speak.
"Why are you guys still here?" The figure said.
They all realized it was the janitor. No one spoke. Mike finally speaks up.
"Well you see, the detention monitor had to go to the bathroom. He told us to wait until he comes back to dismiss us. So, we waited and waited, but 15 minutes after we were to be dismissed he never came back. Then we waited another 15 minutes and so we decided to leave and try the doors." Mike continued, "But, they are locked. Wait. Shouldn't you have the keys?
"Honestly, I'm in no knowing of the fact that the doors lock from the inside. I'm inside this school 24/7. All day. All night. I never leave." The janitor replied back.
The kids were freaked. They asked that he turned on the lights as he began to leave. He replied saying, "Sure, but I'll have them on for 10 minutes, looks like you guys are staying here overnight. After 10 minutes I'm turning them off. So get yourselves straightened." The kids had no clue what to do.
The man left and the kids talked to each other quickly.
"I do NOT want to stay the night in a school!" Mary exclaimed. "And it doesn't make it any better to know that the janitor freak lives here!"
Everyone agreed and gave a glare at Danny. Danny ignored them. He felt really bad inside but didn't know what else he could do to make them feel better. The lights turned on.
"So.. What now?" Mike said.
"Yeah where are we going to sleep?" Amy said.
"We're all sleeping close together that's for sure." Mary suggested.
Everyone was very hungry, and not to mention tired.
"While the lights are on, someone should go to the cafeteria and look around for food. I'm so hungry!" Karen complained.
"I agree. So who goes?" Mike asked.
"Mike maybe you and me should go, since we're like the men here." Danny replied.
"So who would give the girls company?" Mike used as an excuse.
"Yeah. Your right. So one boy one girl?" Danny suggested.
"Uhm. Flip a coin?" Mary suggested.
"I guess so." Mike said.
"Heads is Mike, Tails is Danny." Karen said as she flipped a coin. "Heads."
Mike sighed as he was afraid of going.
"Okay.. So who's going with me." Mike said.
The room became quiet.
"I will." Amy said.
Everyone was surprised. Out of all people Amy, the most scared of the group, volunteered. Mary and Karen felt bad, but wouldn't dare go. Amy and Mike got up and headed toward the cafeteria hoping they had enough time before the lights turn off. They enter the cafeteria and searched for food. Nothing. They went back to the kitchen door hoping for something. They checked every cabinet there. Finally some granola bars were found. They each took a handful and headed on out. Then, the lights turned off. Both were scared. They stood there. Each frightened.
"Amy, I know your scared, but we need to continue. Don't worry I'm right here. I got your back." Mike said hoping Amy would be less scared of the dark.
Amy led their way out of the cafeteria. She made it half way down the hall and turned around to make sure Mike was okay. He was gone. She noticed his handful of granola bars on the floor by the entrance of the cafeteria. She turned around and ran as fast as she could toward her friend in the room. She kept running, accelerating her speed, in fear of anything that could happen to her. Thoughts ran through her head as fast as she ran. Tears ran down her face as she raced toward the room. She entered. Her friends were startled by the quick entrance. Amy slammed the door and lowered herself on the ground crying. Her friends came over to comfort her when they realized, Mike was gone.
Amy explained everything that happened as she continued to cry. The group got scared and worried. They kept asking themselves what happened to Mike? They all got the chills imagining what could of possibly happen to Mike. The janitor? Hillary's spirit? The monitor? They questioned in their minds. No one was sure who it was. They comforted Amy and once she stopped crying they came close together. While cold and tired they ate their granola bars. Amy and Karen were caught sleeping. Danny and Mary didn't know how they could possibly sleep with all those crumbs on the floor, no blanket, pillow, anything! They decided not to wake them up and talked a bit.
"So what now?" Mary asked.
"I'm really not sure." Danny replied back, "I want to let you know how sorry I am, Mary."
"I know. I know. Don't worry about it. I just want to make sure we get out of here." Mary said.
They were quiet for a while and cuddled close together. It was quiet from there that night. The 4 kids worried about their friend. They were each quiet and half awake, alert, and ready, waiting for something to happen right on the floor in front of the door. Then out of the random quiet was broken. Karen remembered about the phones in the office. They could call the police to break the doors open and help them out.
"Guys the office!" Karen exclaimed which awoke everyone.
"Huh?" Said Amy confused.
"We can use the phones and call someone for help!"
"Nice thinking." Said Danny as he smiled.
Remembering what happen to Mike, they decided to go together. They quietly made their way to the school office, each of them afraid. They entered and ran to the phone. They began to dial 911, but the line was dead. An unwanted, hastily beep was to be heard on the phone. They put the phone down and heard the door shut. They turn around. There the detention monitor was. Tied up in a chair…. Half dead.
The kids went up to him, untied him, and immediately asked what happened.
He quickly explained, "I went to the bathroom. On my way back I stopped by the vending machine. I took out my dollar, put it in the machine, got a snack and was on my way to dismiss you guys. And then I dropped my snack. I was going to pick it up to throw away. Then the next thing I remember, I'm here." It was somewhat hard to comprehend what he was saying. The man was half dead, continuing to bleed from all around his body. At a moment while he was explaining, he even coughed out blood. The kids were so scared and didn't know where to go next.
"You know what you guys should do?" he asked them.
The kids nodded no.
"I think you should go ----." and that was the last they heard of him, he died. Amy began to tear in fear. Karen and Mary although scared, didn't show it as much as Amy did. They comforted her. Danny, being the boy knew he had to do something, he had to take charge. All of a sudden, the phone rang. Danny picked up the phone. No dial tone. Confused, Danny read where the call came from. It said 'Basement.' Danny put the phone down and told the girls about the dead dial tone and it coming from the basement.
"Well, we have a few choices. We can't wait here, wait for something to happen with the chance of dying, or we can figure out what's going on in the basement. I personally think we should go to the basement for the chance of living. I'm not sure about you guys. We can't leave people, we can't split up. Unless you guys want to, sure. But I think we should do what I say."
"Danny, I'm scared. There's no way I'm going down to the basement." Amy said as she cried. "Please! Don't make me go or stay here alone."
"Amy we're all scared, and don't know what to do. It's no use staying here, but if you want to stay, I'll stay with you. Yet, I think it's best we stay together and go to the basement." Mary told her.
"Mary, you go on with Danny. I'm scared and would never want to go down there. I'll stay with Amy. We'll be up here waiting for you guys. Just hurry, please!" Karen said.
Danny and Mary agreed and walked slowly toward the basement. While walking both were thinking the same thing. They were thinking about dying without telling each other their feelings for each other. The both liked each other ever since they were friends. They feared telling each other in risk of having their friendship ruined. They much rather be friends than risk their friendship with each other.
Meanwhile, Karen and Amy calmed down. It's been a while now. Karen and Amy find a fridge in the school office, they were still hungry and took some food. They began to eat thinking what would happen next.
"What do you think, Amy?" asked Karen.
"What do you mean?" Amy questioned back.
"What do you think is going to happen. Do you think.. We're going to die?"
"I'm not sure, I hope not. I'm just really worried about Mike. I just left him there, I didn't bother turning back. I was selfish and didn't see what happen to him. I wish I did something." Amy explained as she began to tear.
Karen tried to comfort Amy, "Don't worry Amy, if you didn't come to us, we would have no clue what would be going on. If you were with Mike and were.. Killed or something, everyone would probably be dead."
They continued talking and Karen accidentally spilled her drink all over the floor. Suddenly they heard a loud noise coming from down the hall. It was really fast. Faster, faster, faster, and faster. Suddenly, the janitor stood at the door entrance with his mop in his hand. He stared them in the eye. Karen and Amy stood there in shock.
"YOU..MADE..A..MESS!"
Karen and Amy screamed, and ran away. There was only so much time to stay alive. He chased after them in the small office. Amy and Karen were cornered. They held each other tight saying their last words to each other. The janitor raised his mop. As he began to swing, the girls quickly said their good byes. And then, he stopped. He just froze. The girls with their eyes closed wondered why they weren't dead yet. They opened their eyes and see the janitor on the ground. There was Mike. Mike saved them! Karen was so glad to see him. She ran up to him and hugged him saying sorry repetitively. Mike patted her back and said don't worry about it. Amy and Karen told them about what Danny and Mary are doing and about the phone call and everything.
Mike also told them what happen to him, "I dropped a granola bar I turned around to pick it up but suddenly fell to the ground. I believe the janitor swung his mop at me. I was dragged back into the cafeteria and was left there. I woke up with my hands tied up behind my back. I got them undone and went back to the room to see if you guys were still there. I heard a guy yell down the hall. I grabbed a flag with a point end and ran there and saw the janitor about to kill you. Then I stabbed him in the back from the end of the flag. Now.. I'm here!"
They decided to go see how Danny and Mary are doing. As they were about to leave, they heard the janitor groan. They all turned around to look at him. Mike grabbed a chair and raised it over his head ready to throw it at the janitor. The janitor put a hand up and said wait! Mike stopped because he heard the janitor's voice. It wasn't as deep and scary as it once was. Mike lowered the chair.
"Wait, please don't! Listen to me!" The janitor said. Everyone paused. "Please, let me explain." he continued, "I'm sure you all heard the stories of Hillary. Well I was going to school the same time Hillary did. I was one of the kids that picked on her a lot. Well, now ever since I've worked here, every night I believe she comes to haunt me. I'm forced to stay in here. Signs were brought to me every day I try to leave. One day, I wanted to try to go home, but my car broke down. Another day I actually made it home, but had the worst night of my life. She makes me stay in here and she haunts me around. Now, every Halloween, she possess me for fun. Unfortunately, you guys were here on this night. I'm sorry for everything, is everybody ok?" All of a sudden he shakes a little, in the dark he stares and smiles. He got up and ran at the three Mike grabbed the chair, raised it and threw it and it hit the janitor on the head. He fell down and quickly got back up. The kids sprinted down the hall as fast as they could. Luckily, they all ran at the same pace. They seem to have lost him. They slowed down at the end of the hallway and took a left. Right there was the janitor. They ran the other way and Mike told them that they we're going to the basement to see Danny and Mary.
While that was all happening, Mary and Danny were almost at the basement door. They were talking about things and such on the way. Danny planned that before they entered, that he told Mary about his feelings for her. As he began to he got interrupted by Mike, Karen, and Amy.
"What are you guys doing here?" Danny questioned.
They all tried to explain at the same time. Danny told them to shut up and welcome backed Mike. He listened to his story as Mike quickly explained. As Mike finished, they heard the janitor coming from down the hall. They panicked and out of reflex ran for the basement door. As they approached, they heard the screams of Hillary. Knowing they had no way out, they burst through the door anyways. As they ran down the stairs a fearful sense was felt throughout the way down. The sense became stronger and stronger.
Ending~
The kids finally made it to the basement. They heard the janitor's steps coming down the steps. They whispered each other saying it would be best if they split up. They said their goodbyes and good lucks and ran. They ran in groups of 2, while Karen unfortunately was alone. She hid behind some boxes down in the basement. She was quiet holding her breath praying to God nothing would happen to her. She heard the janitor reach the bottom of the stairs. Her heart started to beat fast. She broke a sweat. Karen has never been so scared in her life. She peeked over the boxes. The janitor was no where to be found. Suddenly, from behind, the janitor grabbed her by the head and put his hand over her mouth. She struggled to break free. She kicked the boxes hoping to get attention of her friends. The man strangled her neck. She suffocated to death.
The four friends heard a noise as they entered a door in the basement. They didn't dare look back. In that door was a closet full of really old things the school used to use. The room was dark and had a weird stench. Then Amy and Mike took a left while Danny and Mary took a right. Amy and Mike heard the door open, and figured out it was the janitor. They ran to the end of the closet to find a dead end. Mike then found a door and took Amy with him. That door was a smaller closet. They went inside and waited. They spent their last minutes together in that closet holding hands. Scared to death all you could hear were their hearts beating. Little did they know, the real ghost of Hillary was hidden in that closet. She kills them the harshest way you could think of and she hung their backs both on a hook in the closet. The hook pierces their backs causing a slow painful death for the two.
3 down, 2 left. Mary and Danny kept walking down the other side of the closet. Tightly holding each others hand walking, and walking. It felt like the longest walk they have ever taken. They hear footsteps behind them. They see Hillary and the janitor side by side ready to kill them. They ran as fast as they could. Hearts beating fast, the janitor and Hillary were right behind them. They run into a wall. Dead end. They crunched in the corner holding each other tightly. The two began to strike at Mary and Danny when suddenly, the bell rang. The two figures disappeared. Mary and Danny realized it was 8 AM, Time for school. They remembered about how they only roamed at night.