Be Afraid

The pale crescent moon did little to light up the ruined church. Dark and shadowy, it stood amongst the neglected tombstones, creating an atmosphere of foreboding rather than peace. Two boys could be seen making their way between the gravestones. The bigger boy, although wary, walked with far more confidence than his smaller companion, who lagged behind, white-faced and fearful.

“Come on Brian,” whispered the first boy. “If you don’t go through with it you’re not joining the gang.”

Poor pathetic Brian, with no real friends, teased and bullied, his greatest wish was to join the gang. “I will do it Adam,” he mumbled through chattering teeth. “I will prove myself.”

“It’s not that big a deal,” said Adam contemptuously. “All you’ve got to do is to go into the church and stay there while I count to 200.” But Brian continued to tremble.

There was a slight movement amongst the gravestones and then a white form emerged. “Don’t go any further,” it said in a quavering voice. “Or you will be CURSED.” The figure raised its arms in a menacing way and started towards them.

Brian shrieked; then turned and ran, dodging among the ancient graves and trying desperately to find a way out, yet going deeper into the dark churchyard. He was crying with fear as he stumbled blindly onward. He was in an older part of the churchyard now, and here there were vicious brambles, reaching out with claw-like branches to snag his clothes. He stumbled on, sobbing and calling out, until he tripped on the uneven ground and fell, hitting his face on a sharp piece of stone.

Meanwhile, the ‘ghost’ otherwise known as Craig, pushed back the sheet form his face. He was grinning from ear to ear. The two boys fell on each other, pushing each other about, all the while helpless with laughter. “That’ll teach him to try and join the big boys,” he spluttered.

Adam laughed. “Just wait until we tell the others. Poor old Brian, his life won’t be worth living.”

“His life isn’t worth living anyway,” said Craig. “Do you remember when the gang were teasing him adn he ran away calling for his mother?”

“Oh that was classic,” agreed Adam.

Craig suddenly cut in. “Wait a minute, I thought I saw a flash of light through the church window. Do you think we’d better go and see what’s happening?”

Adam hesitated. “I don’t know,” he said. “I mean there are some stories going round that the church is haunted.”

“Oh you’re not frightened, are you, big Brian?” laughed Craig. He became more serious. “Look, if we don’t investigate we’ll never live it down with the gang.”

Just then Brian caught up with them. “Don’t go any further,” he said. “There is evil here.”

“That’s what I’ve just said to you,” sniggered Craig.

“No I’m serious. This church is used by evil beings for their black ceremonies. There are dark forces at work here and you are in danger. Get away from this place.”

“How do you know?” demanded Adam.

“These people told me.”

Adam made a face at Craig, then he said slowly as if talking to an idiot, “Where are these people Brian?”

“They are all around, but you can’t see them.”

“Don’t be daft,” put in Craig Scornfully. “What’s so special about you? Why can you see them?”

“Because I am a ghost,” said Brian. “I died of fright ten minutes ago.”