The bell rang, and the hallway exploded with chatter. Serena slammed her locker shut and turned to her friends with a grin that meant trouble.
"Okay, guys, hear me out," she said, walking backward as the group followed. "Winter break. No parents. No rules. We do something awesome"
"I think you mean stupid and reckless" Talia said, rolling her eyes playfully. "Because last time your 'awesome' idea got us banned from the bowling alley."
"This is better," Serena said dramatically. "The Crowley House."
Tim stopped mid-step. "The haunted one? The one where that guy disappeared?"
"Urban legend definitely ," Serena shrugged. "Perfect for a 24-hour challenge. We film it, post it, go viral."
Talia rolled her eyes. "You mean we freeze to death in a murder house for likes?"
"Exactly," Serena said, grinning. "Come on, Talia. You get off on this stuff."
Aria hugged her books tighter. "Guys, that place is… creepy. My cousin swears she saw lights there last summer."
"Lights? Great Free electricity," Tango joked, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. "I'm in."
Pierce sighed. "I'll drive. But if we get possessed, I'm blaming Serena."
"Deal," Serena said. "Tonight. Pack snacks. And no phones bring cameras —makes it scarier."
The group exchanged looks—half excited, half terrified. Ryder grinned. "This is gonna be legendary." Talia said from the back catching up "yea Ryder lEgEnDaRiLy StUpId"
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Hours later, the seven friends piled into Pierce's beat-up SUV, music blasting, snacks everywhere. The GPS struggled as they drove deeper into the woods.
"This map looks like it was drawn by a drunk pirate," Tim said, squinting at his phone.
"Relax," Serena said. "It's just up ahead."
The road narrowed, trees closing in like claws. Finally, the headlights hit a massive silhouette: The Crowley House. Its windows were black holes, and the porch sagged like a broken jaw.
"Wow," Talia whispered. "It's uglier than I imagined."
"Perfect," Serena said, hopping out. "Let's make history."
The wind howled as they stepped onto the porch. The door creaked open on its own.
"Uh… did anyone touch that?" Aria asked.
"Nope," Ryder said, filming. "And that's how horror movies start."
Inside, the air was cold and heavy. Dust floated like ghosts in the flashlight beams. A grand staircase loomed ahead, and a cracked chandelier swayed even though there was no breeze.
"Okay," Pierce said, clapping his hands. "Rules: No phones. No leaving until sunrise. Whoever screams first buys snacks for a month."
"Four," Tango added, grinning. "If you see a ghost, you have to ask if it wants to join the group chat."
They laughed nervously, dumping their bags in the living room. The floor groaned under their weight like it didn't want them there.
Serena pulled out an old Ouija board she'd found in the attic earlier. "Bonus round: We talk to the dead."
"Absolutely not," Aria said, backing away. "That's how horror movies start."
"Exactly," Serena grinned. "It'll be fun."
Outside, the wind slammed the shutters shut. The house seemed to sigh.
And then, from the hallway, came a whisper soft, playful, almost laughing:
"Ready or not…"