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Jackson didn’t want to climb the porch rail, nor did he want to climb to the upstairs window. Jackson wasn’t used to climbing strange things. He preferred climbing safe things, like stairs and into bed. He thought it might be safer and maybe just a bit easier if he were to walk around the porch and see if perhaps there was another door or an unlocked window. Any other way that didn’t involve him climbing up a rotting porch roof. Besides, there is something to be said about respecting other people’s property, you know.

Jackson climbed the steps carefully, trying not to disturb the gargantuan, hairy-backed spiders hiding in the corners. He held the spiderweb-covered railing as he climbed around the big hole in the porch floor. Jackson wiped a filthy window with his sleeve. He peeked in.

He couldn’t believe what he saw.

Chapter 23

A Really Short Chapter

Tell your mom or dad or teacher that you absolutely have to read this chapter as you are “racked with suspense” and “will probably die if you don’t continue.” Make sure to use those exact words. If they say no, and you decide to read this chapter in the car, there’s a very good chance you will throw up on the seat beside you (or on your little brother if he happens to be sitting next to you). If you decide to read it under the blankets at night with a flashlight, you may be extremely tired in the morning. And if you get caught and this book is taken away along with TV privileges, I hereby refuse all responsibility.

A light glowed faintly inside and a shadow moved slowly across the room. Jackson tapped on the window.

“Hello!”

No answer. Jackson sighed and walked down to the next window. It was dirty too. He looked in and…

BANG!

Chapter 24

A Rather Long Chapter

Ooh, you might want to read this chapter too. Jackson jumped back, his heart beating like mad. The explosive sound ricocheted off the faded red brick walls of the house. It sounded like a gunshot. And it sounded close.

Oh, dear.

Gunshots are never pleasant, especially when the sound is close to you. And especially if you are trespassing at a house with a huge skull-and-crossbones sign and large letters that read “Go away.”

Jackson slowly stepped back and tiptoed to the end of the porch. Cautiously, he peeked around the corner. The rickety porch continued to the back door, but there was a gate blocking the way. A tall, untrimmed cedar hedge ran the length of the yard, leading right up to the gate. Jackson slunk toward the gate. He rattled it gently. Locked. Jackson tried to slip between the bars, but he didn’t fit. He tried to push his way through the tall, untrimmed cedar hedge. Most cedar hedges are effective at their job of keeping people out. And this particular tall, untrimmed cedar hedge was definitely doing its job.

Jackson jumped again. Should he call out? Should he yell, “Don’t shoot!” or should he hide? What if the gun was aimed at him?

BANG!

It was definitely louder and closer this time. Jackson dropped to the porch floor. He couldn’t see anything. He shinnied closer to the gate. He peered past the bars at the back door to the house. It was bright red with a lovely brass door knocker and a cocoa mat on the floor that said Welcome. You could imagine how welcoming it was. Especially at that moment.

Jackson quickly examined the gate. He couldn’t climb it. There wasn’t a foothold as the bars ran up and down. The top of the fence was too high for him to reach. The gate had a thick brass lock. He pushed his face into the black bars to look down the cedar hedge. A flash of blue ran by, and then it was gone. Should he yell out?

“Hey!” squeaked a familiar voice. “You’re supposed to stay with the tour!”

Meeka’s head hung out of the window upstairs. Her long brown hair had bits of fluff in it. She looked cross.

“You have to stay with the tour! I don’t want to get into trouble again!”

“What trouble?”

Meeka’s big brown eyes disappeared as she ducked back inside.

“What trouble, Meeka?” he called up to her. “Meeka? What trouble?