Ever since I can remember, the house at the end of the street has been completely empty. Nobody went in, and nobody came out! Every child in the street was sure it was haunted but no-one had ever had the courage to go in, until now! Covered in a pale mist, which leaked from its panels and splintered beams, clumps of rotten leaves clung to the base of the house.

Close by was an old oak tree that towered over an old, iron gate that banged and creaked. The windows were filled with darkness and mysterious shapes that play tricks on your eyes. Cobwebs hugged the entire house as the house itself was old and looked as if it was going to crumble. This mysterious house is the one and only house of horrors.

Well, that’s what we call it. Me, Mia and Seb. We’re the cool kids on this street and like nothing ever scares us. Well actually that’s a lie. What happened to me the previous day was like nothing that I could have ever imagined. It all started with a game. The dare game. The dare I was given was about to change everything…

‘I dare you to…’ mumbled Mia.

But before Mia could even finish her sentence, Seb interrupted loudly ‘to go inside the house of horrors!’

‘No! I dare you to go in,’ I said.

I am Matt by the way. The cool one. I have just been challenged to go in the house of horrors and I feel quite nervous but I tried not to show it. Everybody knows how terrifying it is, but should I be the one to face it? Will I be able to conquer the house of horrors? 

‘Alright then. I’ll go in’, I replied. ‘But you both have to come in with me’.

They both exchanged nervous looks. Looks of fear until Seb finally answered ‘You can’t be serious, can you?’ with a slight crack in his voice.  

I answered ‘I have never been more serious in my life’. 

‘Midnight’ I declared. ‘Midnight is when we three shall go and pay a visit to this house. No parents and nobody else, except us. Oh, and one more thing. Make sure you come. The both of you! See you there.’

Seb and Mia didn’t dare say another word as I vanished back into my house. I had no clue how I was going to do this... 

I was so confident just a minute ago but I honestly didn’t know what else to say. I don’t want to be the one to go inside, though I said I was going to meet them there I have no choice but to conquer the house of horrors!

Darkness fell as midnight came at last. It felt as if it took forever. I snatched my torch, quietly pushed up my bedroom window and slid down the drain pipe. It was dreary and I could barely see a thing even with my torch on. The pale crescent moon shone like a silver claw in the night sky which gave me some light unlike my torch. I silently wandered through the street until a towering house stood before me. Standing side by 

side was Mia and Seb both shaking nervously right by the old Oak tree. 

‘You took your time Matt,’ Seb stated.

‘We were just about to leave,’ Mia continued.

‘Well I am here now so let's go inside!’

I emerged over to the house and stumbled upon a concrete, stone step as Seb pulled me back and stammered ‘We can always turn back, there is still time. It could be really dangerous and one of us could potentially get hurt. It’s not safe!’

I answered ‘It’s too late to turn back now chicken’ as I climbed up the rest of the steps, Mia just behind me.

‘I am not a chicken’ Seb shouted back and ran to catch up with us.

We all exchanged looks that we were ready to go in. Well, at least one of us did. Kind of. Well no, not really. I carefully opened the door and peered inside. It was as dark as a devil's soul. I crept inside and held my breath as shadows lurked in the still air. I felt fear grow inside me walking up the back of my spine and clung onto my neck, shivering and trembling. Whispers of lost voices bounced off the  walls as I staggered through the hallway, Seb and Mia shaking behind me. As my teeth chattered and heart beat increased, I made my way into the lounge whilst Mia clung on to me. As I peered in, bats flew at me like jumbo jets. My thoughts and fears started to spiral around my head like a 

dangerous whirlpool and I was absolutely petrified. 

My body trembled with fear as I stumbled my way through what was meant to be the lounge. Moonlight slipped through cracks of the roof and torn curtains were drooping down from the blackened window frames. All of the sudden there was a loud and majestic BOOM which made us all shiver. Mia and Seb hid behind my shaking body. On the floor fell an old and dusty portrait with a large rip through the centre of it. A tall and handsome young man stood very proudly. The smile on his face cracked and sweat fell off the top of my face. Seb stood transfixed as Mia jumped, already backing away.