Page 81 of Black and White, Twice the Might

The boys don’t hear me, but Sly laughs. “Yeah.”

We travel through to the next section, and I breathe a sigh of relief as we leave the ghost children behind, just to gasp as we come through the door.

“Cool,” Sly says, grinning.

I’m not sure I’ll go with cool. This section is like Dr Frankenstein’s laboratory. There are pieces of people here and there, in jars and on a table, with a shelf of heads. A mad scientist is standing over a table, sewing parts onto the body lying on the table.

Thankfully, there seems to be glass between us and this exhibit.

I’m not the only one who jumps when blood squirts out and hits the glass. And the heads let out screams of terror.

I watch in morbid fascination as the hands that are scattered around start moving and rushing the scientist, but the cart exits the tunnel before we can see what happens, and with that, we come to the end of the ghost train, and stop by the entrance/exit.

“That was so much fun,” Enoch says, as we stand up. “And there was new stuff in it.”

“Pretty sure all the witches had fun playing in there,” Sly replies, as we step off the cart.

We walk over and join Elliot, Adhan, Ernest and Emily as Temp, Ben, Justice and Alfred walk over.

“Thank you for the added elements,” Elliot says to us. “Some of which I will be keeping.”

“It was fun,” Temp says. “I hope you’re coming back next October.”

Elliot smiled and nodded. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Thanks,” Adhan says. “Also, if you ever want to come and stay for a rest or to play with magic with the others, know you’re always welcome.”

“Thank you. I might even take you up on that offer,” Elliot says. “Now, unless I’m mistaken, it’s nearly time for you to announce the winners of the pumpkin carving.”

Adhan checks the time on his phone. “It is. We’ll catch up with you later.”

“If you’re still around on the fifth, the town is having a bonfire and fireworks party,” Ernest tells Elliot. “You’re all welcome. I’ll be at the manor holding a non-firework event.”

“Thanks. Some of us might stick around for that. Now I must be getting on.”

“And us,” Adhan says, taking Ernest’s hand.

“That was so much fun,” Enoch comments, grinning at Ernest. “I don’t think there was one bit I didn’t like.”

“I could have done without the singing cherubs,” Justice says. “That song is just wrong.”

“At least you didn’t have theBaby Sharksong,” Adhan says.

By this time, we have reached the pumpkin carving station. All the pumpkins are on display, in different age groups. The area is crowded with children eager to see if they have won, and parents wondering how they can console their children if they didn’t win.

Jodie and John walk over and join us, as Adhan goes to announce the winners, and Enoch leans against John. John smiles down at him and puts his arm around his shoulders.

Adhan announces the winners and everyone claps, the winners getting a bag of sweets, and then all the children collect their pumpkins. Everyone walks away happy.

CHAPTER 31

“Shall we walk the Haunted Walk together?” Jodie asks us.

“Yes, please,” both Xander and Enoch say at the same time.

We say bye to the others and head for the Haunted Walk. Enoch and Xander are chatting happily to Jodie and John as Sly and I walk behind them, holding hands and listening to their chatter.

I smile at Sly, and he raises our hands and kisses the back of mine.