Hannah and Gracy curled up on the bed. It was one of their weekends when both the girls had a sleep-over. This time Hannah was at Gracy’s place and after a sumptuous dinner, they both shared stories and experiences with each other. It was Gracy’s turn to tell a story when she remembered a strange experience she had had. “This happened during our summer break a few years ago. Every summer we used to spend a few days at this cottage my uncle rented out in the woods. It’s a great place and there are quite a few other folks around,” Gracy continued: “It was night time and I had just gone to bed. My windows were open and a cool night breeze was blowing through it. I was just drifting off to sleep, when a scream pierced through the quiet night air. I woke up with a start and ran downstairs, towards the sound.
What Gracy Saw
“I stopped just outside the living room. Now that I was here, I was slightly scared. I wondered if I should go in without seeking help first. Finally, throwing caution to winds, I went in. A ghastly sight met me as soon I entered the room. There, in the living room, I saw my uncle sitting on the couch and screaming at the top of his voice. His face was ashen white and he was pointing to a wall before him. I turned towards that wall and gasped aloud. I could make out the sombre form of a little girl. Holding a knife to her throat was a menacing looking man. I was so frightened that her scream became stuck in my throat. Slowly, I started moving backwards. Just then my uncle cried out again. “Please stay, Gracy!” Shocked, I was about to run when suddenly, the two strange apparitions disappeared.
The Little Girl and the Thief
“As soon as the spectre vanished, I ran towards my uncle and asked him about the ghosts. ‘Please Gracy, will you stay with me for some time?’ asked my uncle, mopping the sweat on his face. I led my uncle to his room and asked him to rest. I then got a glass of water for him and enquired about the spectre they had just witnessed. ‘I remember, a few days ago, I had met some local people around here,’ he said, ‘They told me that many years ago, a little girl called Katie lived in this house. She was reportedly killed by a burglar.’ I trembled with fear when I heard the story. I quickly locked the room and sat beside my uncle while both of them talked. A few hours later, they heard some voices. ‘Please spare me,’ squeaked a little timid voice. ‘How can I let you go? Now that you have seen me?’ said a harsh one.
The Little Secret
“This was followed by an agonising shriek. Both of us then heard the sound of a door opening and then there was silence. We decided to find out what had happened and went back to the living room. I could not believe what I saw!” said Gracy to Hannah, “There, on a rocking chair, sat the girl. Tears were coursing down her cheeks. The burglar was sitting on the couch near by, a wicked grin on his face.” Gracy continued: “The little girl pointed out to the burglar and said, ‘He killed me.’ I looked at my uncle. We stood there transfixed. Soon it was daylight. Both of us got out of the cottage as fast as we could. Since then we never went back to that place nor have we told this story to anyone. It has always been our little secret,” said Gracy, as Hannah looked on, her mouth wide open in amazement.
