One day, Kathy’s parents had to go out urgently. “Kathy, we are entrusting you with the care of your little brother, Jason. And Jason don’t fight with Kathy,” said her mother. She gave Kathy the key to the house and promising to be home in a couple of hours, the parents set off in their car. At home, Kathy bolted the door from inside and switched on television. However, her nine-year-old brother Jason would not sit still. He ran about the house, picking up and throwing things. Kathy was so fed up that she threatened to tie him up to a chair if he did not listen. “Do you want me to call Mumma? If I complain to her, you will not be allowed to play for at least one week,” warned Kathy. Jason mellowed down a bit, and both the children had their dinner. They sat down on the couch and continued to watch television.
The Strange Sounds
Both the children were watching television silently for some time, when suddenly they heard a ‘tap, tap’ on the floor above. “Is there someone in the room above?” asked Jason, enthusiastically. “Of course, not,” snapped Kathy, “The sounds are coming from television.” Disappointed, Jason sat back on the couch and continued watching the show. However, a few minutes later, they heard the sound again. It was a loud ‘tap, tap’ this time. The floorboards above were creaking, too. Kathy looked at her brother in fear. But he did not seem to be bothered, as he was engrossed in the cartoon show. “Will you please turn down the volume of television?” asked Kathy angrily. Jason ignored Kathy and continued to watch the show. Irritated, Kathy snatched the remote control from her brother. In the tussle that followed, the children by mistake pressed a button and another channel appeared on television.
The Man who Escaped
Primetime News was on and a news reporter appeared on the screen. Kathy listened to what he was saying keenly. A picture of a scrawny-looking man appeared on the screen. He had a vacant look about him and a ghostly pallor. “This man in the picture has just run away from the mental hospital. He is a serial killer. If you see him anywhere, please report immediately. If you are alone at home, please do not open the door unless you can verify the person,” said the news reporter. Kathy was terrified at what she had seen on the screen. She wondered about the sounds she had heard from the room above. She ran to the telephone and called up her parents. Though they promised to be back soon yet Kathy was not satisfied. “Jason, let’s go and sit at our neighbour’s home. It will be safer there,” said Kathy, and she led her brother out of the house.
The Ghost in the Room
Kathy locked the front door and started walking towards the neighbour’s home along with her brother. Just then, she saw something moving in the bushes. Looking carefully, she could make out the form of a man. Quickly, Kathy and Jason took cover behind a tree and watched as the man sneaked into their house through a window. They then quickly ran to their neighbours and told them about the mad man they had seen on television. The neighbours quickly entered Kathy’s house and locked the door of the room from outside. The man was now trapped in the room. The neighbours then called the police. However, they were in for a surprise. The police informed them that the mad man they were talking about had died an hour ago. Confused, the children and their neighbours quickly ran towards the room where they had locked up the mad man. When they opened the door, the room was empty!
