The Spooky Mansion

The wind whistles through the trees as light begins to fade. Then we see it through the trees. It was all Pat’s idea to visit what we thought was an old deserted house: an idea we would live to regret. As we approach, we spy a broken window in the lower story of the house. We ease ourselves through the opening and find that we are in a large hallway with an ornate staircase. Large sheets cover the furniture and cobwebs span across every gap. A dusty portrait of a man hangs over the fireplace. There is an eerie silence and a chill runs down my spine. Pat goes over to the portrait and looks up at it with curiosity. It feels like the man in the picture is staring at us. I call Pat to look at this. He comes up to me and asks what has happened. I point up. Pat gasps in awe. A long winding staircase looks down on our tiny figures. I take another look at the man’s picture. It looks like the eyes have moved. I try to hide my fear. The red carpet is musty as we walk on it, dust flying up. We finally reach the first floor. There seem to be another 100 floors above us. I look at a blank wall in front of me. Pat and I are confused. What is happening? Is this a trick? Hundreds of questions go through my head at once. Suddenly my eyes fall on a scary looking gargoyle. I examine it carefully. It seeps to beckon me forward. I see a spherical hole in its gum. Pat exclaims! I whizz around. He has found what looks like a series of marbles, and also a riddle. I look the piece of old crumpled paper. Though the writing is neat, IT IS WRITTEN IN BLOOD!  It states:

‘If thou dare solve this riddle,

Then thou will get out as quick as a fiddle.

But this is what ye means to say,

This house is no child’s play.

Pick a marble at thou own risk,

Thou might get into a twist.

Choose the one with gleaming lines,

If not, then pay the price.

With the gargoyle, it should look right,

If not, then thou is up for a fright!’

We both gulp. Pat and I both know how high the consequences can get. We both search for the right one, being cautious that we don’t trip and knock the wrong marble off its stand. Which one can it be? I see a marble with black gleaming lines, near the wall. It also matches the shape and colour of the hole in the gargoyle’s gum. I flex my fingers, deciding whether or not to pick the marble up. Part of me tells me not to, but my curiosity takes over. I pick it up. Suddenly I start to fall into a room. I shout for help but the floor has already reformed. Will I ever get out…?