Haunting on Maple Street Mystery

Chapter 1: The Arrest

The bright red and blue of the ambulance lights line the city streets and blink through the dark as they wheel my friend, Jace, off to a hospital on a stretcher. He looks extremely pale; his breaths are barely there, and his dark hair is covered with blood. I feel a twisting sensation in my stomach. This wasn't meant to occur.

Regardless, I am here now—with my hands behind my back, by a police car, while the cops keep giving each other grim looks.

Cole is nowhere to be found.

That is not the case.

Cole, who caused this, can't be found anywhere. Figures. He managed to avoid problems, even when we were the ones who suffered. Without Reeve, Jace wouldn't have ended up in the ambulance. I should not be accused of anything.

Even so, we are here now.

Because Cole's actions changed everything.

Chapter 2: The Setup

This morning, Jace came running into my house, and his eyes were excited.

Man, toss the bag away! A murder has taken place!

I flashed him a quick look, thinking he might follow with a funny remark. Unfortunately, not a single paved road emerged.

So I said, "Okay," as I put on my bag and carried the toast I'd toasted. "Nice try. I won't get carried away by this scam like last time.

The man closed the door behind him and grinned insanely as he did so. I'm absolutely serious here, Liam! A person died as a result of the accident.

I looked intently at what he was expressing with his face. His lips did not betray any signs of smirking. It was a profound statement from him.

"Who?" I spoke slowly so they could understand.

Mercy, Maine, is not known for having a high crime rate. People tend to know all their neighbours—the thrill of the year is at the Harvest Festival.

Jace paused and said the man's name, expecting it to provide some hint.

I frowned. I have never heard his name.

"Exactly! That was the weirdest bit. He used to live in this area for years. He died while at home on Maple Street.

I knew she would ask me about this sooner or later. You may want to visit it as well.

There was more joy in Jace's face now. You, me and Cole. Tonight."

I groaned. "Cole? Seriously?"

Cole often treated the rules like ideas instead of rules. Someone who will try anything to make you feel uncomfortable.

Jace shrugged. "He was the one who informed me about it." We have become connected, so it's not that easy to leave him.

I rubbed the area above my eyes. "Why are you actually wanting to visit Shanghai?"

He looked very excited. "Ghosts, man. What happens if Ambrose hasn't left?"

I could've said no to that question. Should've forced Jace to go to school and acted as if the conversation had never occurred. Even so, Jace knew how to pull me into his plans, and I would follow him to ensure he didn't put himself at risk.

"All right, I'll let you be stubborn." But we're making sure we are still in school each day.

Jace didn't want to stay, but he didn't protest either.

While we walked to school, I kept thinking this was wrong for me.

Chapter 3: The Plan

It was no later than seven that night when I was standing in front of Jace's house, miserable because of all my choices.

Jace and Cole were already deep in conversation, and Cole was resting by the table like it belonged to him, making a smug face.

"Must have been a while," Cole said sarcastically.

I ignored Jonathan and instead asked Jace about his opinion. "What is your strategy?"

Jace grinned. We ride in Cole's vehicle, see where they filmed the movie, and check if Ambrose is still around.

I stared. "That's it?"

Cole snorted. "That's a clever idea, but how about a PowerPoint presentation?"

I held my jaw in a tight grip. How do you handle the organization's basic facts? Also, how much time should we spend there? If someone lives in the property, how can we resolve the issue?

Cole made a face with his eyes. The place has been empty for twenty years. The stream did not hold water after Ambrose had passed.

I froze. This case is from twenty years ago?

Jace was able to act humbly and felt guilty about what he had done. "I didn't mention that bit."

"Because you knew I wouldn't show up if you told me it was an old house that people left behind?"

"Pretty much."

I took a sharp breath out. "Unbelievable."

Cole smirked. "Relax, Carter. All it is, is a fun night of ghost hunting. Are you too frightened to join the party?"

I glared. I am not too concerned. Walking into a situation without knowing the details just makes me uncomfortable.

He finished his words by adding, "Then you should grab a flashlight." "Let's go."

Chapter 4: The House on Maple Street

The Holloway house looked strange in the darkness, with its peeling walls and creepers slowly reaching for the top. We placed our feet on the porch and watched it creak as we entered.

Old dust was found on every object, and the air had a mixture of wood and faint metal odours.

Jace turned on the lights by using the light switch. Nothing.

"Well, could it be malfunctioning?"

I gave him a flashlight. This spot is perfect since it's been abandoned.

Cole smiled and continued to go further inside.

Mom set up the table in the living room, and we brought in a few candles before trying to play a game of Clue that Jace chose because he thought it was ironic. Jace became increasingly excited as the clock got closer to midnight.

He declared it time for ghost-hunting.

Cole stretched. Let's go our own ways. Explore a bigger area."

I stiffened. "No way. We always have each other's backs.

Jace motioned to me to leave. Up you get, Liam. I will cover the upper floors. The first floor is Cole. You investigate what is happening in the basement."

I was going to say something, but he bounded ahead and started to climb the stairs.

I signed as I started my way down to the basement.

Chapter 5: The Basement

The steps had a screeching noise as I went down, and I could barely see where I was going now that the walls were so dark.

A rusting metal cabinet, storage bins, and outdated tools littered the messy basement. 

 Then I noticed it. 

 "Have fun yet?" was written on a letter taped to the cabinet. 

 My blood froze. 

 The cabinet doors flew open before I could react, and two bodies fell out, thudding sickeningly onto me. 

 I was the first to notice the smell—rotten, incorrect. 

 My torch showed too much—pale, dead faces, watery eyes staring at nothing—and I stumbled back, pulse-pounding. 

 Dead. They have passed away. 

 The door was locked when I ran for the stairs.

 "ASSIST!" I banged on the wood and screamed. No response. 

 I was confined. 

 Chapter 6: The Blood 

 How long I was down there before the door opened is a mystery. 

 Nobody descended.

I cautiously ascended the stairs, only to pause when I saw Jace lying at the bottom with blood accumulating beneath his head. 

 "JACE!" I lowered down next to him and shook his shoulder. No answer. 

 My hands were red as I removed them. 

 I fumbled for my phone, but it was gone. Dead.

 Jace had nothing in his pockets. 

 Then sirens. 

 I felt relieved when the windows were filled with blue and red lights. "IN HERE!" I yelled. 

 Two policemen came running in. While one grabbed me and wrenched my arms behind my back, the other checked Jace. 

 "What are you doing? Wait!" 

 The officer's tone was icy. "Child, you're covered in blood." 

 My eyes lingered on my hands. The blood of Jace. 

 "I was attempting to assist him!" 

 The cuffs, however, clicked shut.

Cole stood outside, talking casually with the police. 

 We looked at each other. 

 He grinned. 

 And suddenly—I was aware. 

 This was set up by him. 

 One of the officers radioed in while they read me my rights. 

 "We have two more bodies in the basement, sir." 

 Cole grinned broadly. 

 We were never here for ghosts, I discovered too late. 

 For him, we were here. 

 Jace was dying now. 

 I was also going to jail. 

 Cole is to blame for everything.