Just a Rumor

      They'd all heard the rumors. She had heard them, too. Rumors that seemed to surround one of the many, many occupants who had taken up residence in the Haunted Woods. Granted, the stories were not as wide spread as ones centered around beings like The Brain Tree, The Esophagor and even Eliv Thade.

      But they still existed.

      Hushed whispers of an Aisha girl that lived alone- right on the outskirts of the land but not even within the limits of Neovia. A strange neopian at best. Not many had ever seen her outside of the run down, rickety structure that she called a home. In fact- no neopian in their right mind had ever so much as taken a step near the house. Perhaps out of fear, or perhaps common sense screamed the loudest, or perhaps the stories were but a myth.

      Alicia wasn't entirely sure. Her young mind wanted to believe. The spooky stories were an all time favorite with her group and this latest story definitely fit in with the craze. Ricky, a young male Kyrii, curled his lips back into a wry smirk.

      “How about we make this interesting?” he pitched. Gaining the attention of his companions: Alicia, an Usul, Mitchell, a bruce and Lisa, a Kacheek. All eyes were on him as he tugged a lone piece of paper from his backpack. Hastily written directions and poorly drawn illustrations littered the paper's surface.

      “What is that?” Lisa inquired.

      “A map,” Ricky replied. “You know how the adults are always trying to scare us with these stories?”

      Everyone nodded in agreement.

      “Well, I think it's time we find out for ourselves if this so called Aisha really exists.” Ricky said, gaze trailing over the paper clenched in his paws, “It could make us famous. Just think of it. We could even end up in the Neopian Times.”

      There were murmurs of agreement between the four pets. Though Alicia seemed a bit more hesitant than her three companions. While the idea of unearthing the latest myth to spread throughout Neopia and even potentially gain a spot amongst Neopia's most famous did seem appealing- there was a feeling that seemed to steadily tighten within her gut. One that was none too pleasant but all the same one that she couldn't bring herself to explain.

      Alicia was snapped out of reverie when Ricky clapped his paws together.

      “It's settled, then!” he announced, an eager look painted on his face, “We're going to meet up here. This evening. Six'o'clock. And don't chicken out.” he said before quickly turning and leaving. Left with no opportunity to forge a reply: Lisa and Mitchell whispered something amongst themselves and turned to leave.

      Only Alicia remained once the group had departed. Her deep blue eyes watched her friends' departing forms but said nothing. While she desperately tried to dredge up the feeling of excitement that was shared between the other three- she just couldn't do it. The idea, in itself, sounded fun. Even forbidden. But something about it was gnawing away at her; the persistent voice lingering in the back of her head that whispered: “don't do it”.

      Alicia swallowed dryly, pushed all of her concerned thoughts to side, and quickly turned to head for home. She was being ridiculous. After all, if Ricky thought it was a good idea, then it probably was.

      The hours passed quickly. The sun was already beginning to set over the plaza. Ricky stood at their meeting spot, arms crossed, foot tapping against the dusty cement. Where were they? They were supposed to be there five minutes ago. Part of him couldn't help but hope that they hadn't, indeed, chickened out. After all: this was a once life in a lifetime opportunity and as an adventure enthusiast- Ricky wasn't about to pass it up.

      He was interrupted from his thoughts when the sound of footsteps greeted his ears. He turned to face the trio as they approached. Mitchell in the lead with Lisa close behind; Alicia seemed to be lagging behind them both. Ricky straightened up. He did not look impressed.

      “What took you guys?” he demanded, “You had me thinking that you just up and bailed on me!”

      “Sorry,” Lisa spoke up from behind Mitchell, “Our parents had us doing extra chores tonight.”

      Mitchell nodded in agreement. Alicia said nothing.

      “Whatever. Let's get going.” Ricky said and turned to head towards their destination. It was going to be a long walk- but perhaps they would get there before too late. Mitchell and Lisa followed obediently as Alicia trailed after.

      Colorful, lit buildings slowly changed to the all too familiar, foggy and dark landscape. A Whoot hooted somewhere in the distance. None of them really knew how much time had passed since they started this trek from Neopia Central to the Haunted Woods: but it was certain that evening had already passed; with the sky, obscured by thick clouds and fog, faded into a pitch black. Dust was kicked up as they traversed the land.

      The rusted gates of the Deserted Fairgrounds creaked in the distance. Even the Brain Tree and The Esophagor were silent. The wind whistled with a faint howl as the group made their way past Eliv Thade's castle.

      Alicia swore she could see a figure watching them from the highest window. Realizing that, in the distracted daze she had slipped into, was now lagging far behind her companions: she quickly picked up the pace and darted off after the others. She didn't like this place. It may have seemed interesting in the books she had read; but when presented in person: there was something unnerving about this haunted, halloween town.

      The only light, aside from that of the moon- risen high in the sky- was the glow of embers from the fire that burned in the center of the Gypsy Camp. But even for the brief illumination: the total silence aside from the sound of their own feet was unnerving. Still, the chilling scenery seemed to take back seat when they found themselves staring up at the house.

      Decrepit, run down, almost like it could have been abandoned. How it was still standing was a mystery. The shutters barely hung onto the window frame and the wooden steps creaked even though nothing seemed to touch them.

      Ricky turned to face the others.

      “You guys ready?”

      “Of course.” Lisa said.

      “Totally!” Mitchell exclaimed.

      “Y-Yeah, Sure...” Alicia replied. She hadn't realized just how nervous she had been until she heard the stammer in her voice. Luckily, it had gone unnoticed.

      “Alright!” Ricky exclaimed, excitement clear in his voice, “Let's catch us a mad scientist!”

      And up the steps they went. Each step creaking underneath the weight of their feet; with Ricky in the lead and Alicia trailing in the back. For a moment: she swore she saw a pair of glowing red eyes peeking out from beneath the porch.

      They made it up the steps without a hitch. Ricky, not even bothering to exercise common courtesy, just grabbed the brass doorknob with one paw and twisted it. There was a click and the heavy wooden door swung open with a quiet creak.

      The group entered; the door swinging shut behind them.

      The interior was nothing remarkable. Wallpaper peeling off the walls, virtually everything cloaked in a layer of dust, an ornate rug stretching down the length of the foyer. It had all the look and the feel of the stereotypical haunted houses they had seen in books and in movies.

      Still, they ventured in, taking in the sights as they did so. There was absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. Absolutely nothing that screamed that a mad scientist could have lived there. It just looked like an abandoned old house that hadn't been lived in for Fyora knew how long.

      Ricky scoffed.

      “Well this is a bust.” he said, the excitement gone with disappointment taking it's place, “There's nothing here.”

      “Yeah, what a rip.” Mitchell agreed. “I was kind of hoping the house would just be like a front, you know? And there'd be some kind of freaky laboratory inside.”

      “Yeah, with creepy experiments and beakers and vials!” Lisa added, “That would have been awesome.”

      There was a murmur of agreement between the trio. Alicia, just as she had been since this trip started, remained quiet. Part of her was thankful that there had been nothing to discover. Anything was better than whatever grisly surprise her friends were hoping for.

      “I think we should go home.” she finally spoke up. The others were not as thrilled with the suggestion but agreed anyway.

      It was when they turned to leave that they heard a door creak.

      “What was that?” Lisa asked. Mitchell whipped his head to the side. A door, at the very end of the foyer, was now partially open. Well, that was interesting.

      “Do you think we should check it out?”

      “Duh.” Ricky said, “Maybe this wasn't a waste of a trip after all.”

      Alicia looked uncertain but chose to remain quiet: and obediently followed after the trio. She had been hoping they would have already gotten out of there by now, and back to their homes, where they would be warm and safe and wouldn't need to worry about something terrifying popping up: but it just wasn't in the cards that night.

      Ricky reached out a paw and pushed the door open. It didn't even creak. The only thing that came into view was a long set of stairs that descended down into the darkness below.

      “How cliché.” Ricky scoffed but started to descend anyway. Lisa, Mitchell and Alicia followed. The only sound was the sound of their breathing; their footsteps barely making any noise against the solid stone.

      The first several minutes were uneventful. Just an seemingly endless flight of stairs and stone walls on either side. It was only when they neared the bottom that they noticed something: an eerie green glow creeping from around the corner; the floor awash in it's light.

      Ricky led the way and soon they found themselves standing in the center of the hidden laboratory.

      “Wow,” Lisa gasped with surprise. The four of them looked around, inquisitive eyes taking in everything that they could. Shelves lined the walls with various beakers and vials; a desk sitting off center- various transmogrification potions lined up across it's surface; along with an open notebook and various vials filled with discolored fluid.

      It almost looked like something out of Dr. Sloth's lab.

      Alicia was getting the willies just being there.

      “What do you think happens down here?” Ricky asked. Mitchell shrugged. Lisa wandered over to a large tank: a rainbow Baby Blu floated inside of it; though it's beady eyes were separated from it's head. It's tongue lulled out from it's mouth- making the imagery more goofy than scary.

      “Something.” Mitchell replied. A Slorg watched the group from a nearby jar- a wide smile on it's face.

      “I wonder where that scientist is.” Lisa piped up. Alicia wasn't sure she even wanted to know. She started to back up but found herself stopping. Her mind raced. There was more to that story than she initially remembered- though as she took in the unsettling scenery, it all came rushing back, and it made her stomach flip.

      “There are reasons why there are never any other neopets around,” her mother had said. “And there are never any petpets. Some say they just mysteriously vanished.”

      The door swung shut while the group was distracted. The sound of the lock clicking into place was enough to jerk all four sets of eyes in the direction of the door.

      “That's not good.”

      “What is going on?”

      “This has to be a joke.”

      “I'm getting to the bottom of this!” Ricky exclaimed over the sudden surge of nervous chatter and marched straight for the stairs. Before he could even take the first step, though, a voice called out from somewhere in the darkness. It was enough to make even Ricky freeze. Even for all of his bravery and good natured bluster.

      The Kyrii slowly turned his head. As did his friends.

      An Aisha slipped out from the darkness. A friendly smile painted on her features; her antennae twitching with curiosity.

      “Hello, there!” she greeted. The sugary sweet tone of her voice just seemed to make the situation that much more frightening. Ricky gulped back the lump that had formed in his throat.

      “We were just leaving.” he said, paw still rested on the stair's railing. Lisa, Mitchell and Alicia were not too far behind him.

      The Aisha seemed to move closer, still smiling, seemingly unfazed by the intruders that had wandered into her home.

      “So soon?” she asked, “I did not intend to run you off.”

      “That's...okay,” Ricky swallowed, hard. “Our parents are probably wondering where we are. Right guys?”

      Lisa, Mitchell and Alicia nodded in agreement.

      “I'm sure it will be fine.” the Aisha said, “Why not stay awhile? Perhaps I could brew you some of my special tea.”

      “No, no thank you.” Ricky shook his head.

      “But I insist!” the Aisha persisted and drew closer. “It's been awhile since I've had any visitors.”

      The young neopets were growing afraid and were beginning to make a frantic attempt at escaping. The locks wouldn't budge, though.

      Alicia never thought that she would see Ricky so terrified. But that thought was ripped away by her own terror when her gaze slid back to look at the Aisha scientist. Perhaps they really should have heeded their parents' warning.

      “It's been even longer since any of them have left.”

      Ricky, Alicia, Mitchell and Lisa found themselves doing the only thing that they could: they screamed.

      The End.