*Disclaimer: I am not an author, I have no intentions of ever publishing this story other than here on my blog, maybe Wattpad, and at some point, I may remove it from my blog.

Before I share the most recent addition to the short story that I am writing, I am going to explain what Story Time is to my recent followers. One weekend I was looking through all my old school things and came across a story that I had written when I was eight years old and in second grade. I decided that I wanted to re-write it. The most recent addition to the re-write will always be at the bottom and dated.

This is the original story:
Once upon a time, there was a haunted house and 10 doors and 10 steps in the first door there was a werewolf. In the second door, there was a mummy. In the third door, Dracula popped out. In the fourth door, bats flew out. In the fifth door, some ghosts popped out and said “BOO.” In the sixth door, there was an alien with six eyes. In the seventh door, there was a goblin. In the eighth door, there was a witch and she popped out. In the ninth door, there was a skeleton. In the tenth door, a friendly zombie popped out.

This is the rewrite:
Once upon a time, in a deep, dark wood, at the top of a hill, there stood a house. The house was aptly named Hilltop House. The house was very old, and it was impossible to see what color it is because of all the vines that have overtaken it. And because of all the vines, all that could be seen was only portions of the windows, there was enough window showing that you could see in, but just barely. Now, don’t go thinking the house wasn’t in a town because it was. The house was in a town called Fallhaven.

Fallhaven was home to 25 known people, it is rumored that non-human folk lives in Hilltop House. Fallhaven had your typical town folk. It had a Mayor, Elias and his wife Eliana, two policemen, Brutus, who was the chief and Connor, there was May, the librarian, Malva the schoolteacher, Quincy, the park manager, Clara, the town clerk, who handled business for the town folk, Raymond, the mailman, Jonny, the store clerk, and Whitman, the gas station man

FiFi Whitmire, a seven-year-old, claimed to have seen something strange going on in Hilltop House. FiFi lived with her mother Dorothy, her father, Edgar, and her two twin brothers Jacob and Bobby who were 9. Hilltop House could be seen from the third-floor reading nook of the Whitmire house. The Whitmire’s neighbor Margo had two grandchildren, Molly and Edward who FiFi, Bobby, and Jacob played with often. The children would always seem to venture to Hilltop House, though they never dared to go in. It was during these ventures that FiFi would notice the strange things happening. The other children never saw anything, and when FiFi would mention the things that she was seeing, they all seemed to scoff and tell her “it’s all in your head.” FiFi knew that it wasn’t all in her head.

When it was time for the children to go home, which was when the street lights got turned on, FiFi didn’t go home. FiFi went to see Addie for some tea and cookies, the other neighbor of the Whitmire’s.   Addie was 25 and like an older sister to FiFi. FiFi said to Addie, “I’ve seen strange things happening at Hilltop House, and the other’s think I’m ridiculous.” Addie told her, “You’re not ridiculous, I’ve seen strange things too.” This was reassuring to FiFi, as she wasn’t the only one who thought something strange was going on. It was getting late, and Addie said to FiFi, “I’ll walk you home, and we can tell your parents what has been going on.” “Okay,” FiFi said.

When Addie and FiFi got back to the Whitmire residence, Fifi said to her mother and father, “I have seen strange things going on at Hilltop House, Addie has too.” “Is this true?” asked Dorothy. FiFi and Addie both said at the, “yes, it is true.” Dorothy and Edgar looked very puzzled.

Edgar and Dorothy thought about what to do before Edgar had to go to work. They decided that it would be best to keep what FiFi and Addie told them a secret for the time being. This was decided when the children were at school. It was also decided that the children could still play around Hilltop House. When the children got home from school, Dorothy asked, “What did you learn today?” FiFi answered, “ Malva taught us some simple multiplication and she also told us a story about how Hilltop House is haunted.”

 

Bobby, Jacob, Molly, and Edward all said “Hilltop House is not haunted,” Dorothy looked at them with a very puzzled look on her face. She could not wait until Edgar got home to tell him what his sons and friends had said. Edgar works at the little town market in town helping out Jonny for a few hours on the days that Dorothy isn’t working at the library along with May. Someone is always home with the children.

When Edgar arrived home, Dorothy told him what the kids had learned at school and then said to him, “Malva told the children a story that Hilltop House is haunted.” Edgar asked what the children said. Dorothy said to Edgar, “FiFi, Bobby, Jacob, Molly, and Edward, told me about what happened at school.” Bobby, Jacob, Molly, and Edward all said to Edgar and Dorothy “Hilltop House is not haunted.”” Edgar remembered what FiFi and Addie had told him about seeing strange things.

Edgar decided that it was time to tell others in the town what FiFi and Addie told him and Dorothy, and he said to Dorothy, “I want to tell others about what FiFi and Addie said about Hilltop House,” Dorothy said, “I’ll have to think about it, it is still a somewhat touchy subject, seeing as the other kids have called FiFi ridiculous.” Edgar agreed that they would wait a while before they told others, they also concluded that they would have to talk to the other kids about not calling FiFi ridiculous anymore.

The next day, which was a Tuesday Edgar and Dorothy sat FiFi, the twins, Molly and Edward down after they all got home from school. Dorothy and Edgar decided to take the day off from work to discuss the best way to approach the children about the situation. Dorothy and Edgar said to the twins, Molly and Edward “you need to stop saying that FiFi is ridiculous, and telling her that it’s all in her head. FiFi isn’t the only one who has seen strange things going on at Hilltop House.” The twins, Molly and Edward looked at Edgar and Dorothy and said in unison, “what?!” Dorothy and Edgar replied, “yup, there is someone else who has seen the same strange things that FiFi has seen, our neighbor, Addie.” The kids, excluding FiFi, all looked confused. They all apologized to FiFi saying, “we’re sorry, and we won’t call you ridiculous again, but how come only you and Addie can see strange things?” FiFi said, “I don’t know, maybe there are others in town, or maybe Addie and I have some special magical abilities that we don’t know about.”

Wednesday at school, after avoiding her for a while, FiFi decided to tell June, her best friend what was going on. June said, “I’ve seen strange things going on around Hilltop House too, you and Addie aren’t the only ones.” This made FiFi feel a little better about the whole thing. FiFi started thinking if she, Addie and June were the only ones, or if there were others. FiFi got home from school and both Dorothy and Edgar were home, she said to them “I want to tell the townspeople what has been going on. I told June today and she told me that she has seen things too. I want to know if there are others.” Dorothy and Edgar looked at their daughter and took in what she said. They’ve been thinking about telling the other townspeople for a while but were waiting for the right time. FiFi’s words when she got home from school, that she wanted to tell the townspeople, they knew that it was the right time. Before the townspeople were told, Dorothy and Edgar had to decide when they were going to have Elias and Eliana over for dinner to let them know what FiFi had told them and what she wanted to do. Dorothy said to Edgar, “It appears that FiFi is wise beyond her years, and I think she should tell the townspeople and not us.”

Dorothy called Elias, the mayor, and invited him and his wife Eliana over for dinner Friday night, and of course, they accepted. She didn’t tell him or Eliana why, though. Dorothy said to FiFi “Elias and Eliana are coming over for dinner Friday night, and I know you want to tell the townspeople what has been going on.” FiFi had an excited look on her face, yet she was still a little apprehensive.

A few days had passed and it was finally Friday night. The Mayor and his wife had arrived at the Whitmire’s house waiting to hear FiFi’s story. Although, it wasn’t a story it was more of something that FiFi has been experiencing.

Dorothy, Edgar, and FiFi heard a knock on the door, and FiFi went to welcome Elias and Eliana with a warm, but nervous smile and brought showed them to the living room. Jacob and Bobby were at Margo’s house playing with Molly and Edward just for dinner time. Dorothy and Edgar didn’t want Jacob and Bobby interrupting FiFi while she was telling the Mayor and his wife about what she has been experiencing. While in the living room, Elias said to FiFi “what is it that you would like to tell Eliana and me? We will not judge you.” At first, FiFi was nervous, but then she realized that Elias and Eliana could find a solution to what had been going on. FiFi replied, “well, whenever I’m playing up by Hilltop House I can see strange things going on in the windows, and I always want to investigate more. My brothers and some of my friends have said I’m being ridiculous, but I’m not the only one who has seen strange things.”

Elias looked at FiFi and said to her, “I’m very proud of you for telling us this, I know it wasn’t the easiest thing to do. I also know that the grounds around Hilltop House are a very popular place for you and your friends to play because of all the space to run around. I don’t think you or anybody else is in danger by continuing to play there. At this very excitedly FiFi replied, “It makes me happy that I can still play there, not only do I love the amount of space, but I love the mystery surrounding the House. I’ve been tempted on more than one occasion to go inside the house.”

This frightened Elias a bit because the strange things at Hilltop have yet to be discovered. His main concern in the town is keeping it safe from whatever may be lurking in the house. Elias said to Eliana, FiFi, Dorothy, and Edgar, “I think we should have a special town meeting, and I would love it if FiFi gathered the others who have seen the strange things too and possibly tell the townspeople what they have seen and experienced.” FiFi replied nervously, “I don’t want the townspeople to call me ridiculous like my brothers and our friends did. I don’t know if the townspeople will listen to me, I’m only seven.”

Elias understood why FiFi was nervous about speaking in front of the townspeople and said to her, “you have nothing to worry about, I think people will be more likely to listen to you because of your age. I am also hoping that a few more people will say that they have seen strange things too.” FiFi felt more reassured after Elias had told her this, she even asked, “Mr. Mayor sir, if more people come forward, can I go explore the area more and go inside the house? I would knock on the front door first.” Elias knew that she was very curious about the house and the possible inhabitants and he said to her, “I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t go inside the house.” FiFi was very excited about this and thanked Elias for allowing her to explore Hilltop House. After the dinner with Elias and Eliana, It was decided that FiFi would tell people what was going on at the next town meeting, which was always held on Tuesday nights.

The whole weekend and even Monday after school, FiFi prepared what she was going to say to the townspeople at the town meeting. She was no longer as nervous as she had been. Tuesday came and Malva decided not to give the students any homework as she wanted them to go to town meeting. Malva said to them, “even though you are young children, it is important that you learn things about the town, as you guys are the future of it. The things that are discussed at town meeting affect you guys too.” There were all kinds of hootin and hollerin from the kids, as they were very excited to not have any homework. The kids were also excited because Malva said to them, “after recess you can all go home.”

The children got home from school and had a good snack before they had to go to town meeting. This was the first town meeting that they were able to go to, they were both curious and excited.

The Whitmire’s arrived at the library, as Fallhaven was a small town, all Town Meetings were held at the library. There was a table at the front of the conference room with seats for Elias, Jonny, Connor, FiFi, Addie, and June. Elias said to FiFi, “just tell the townspeople what you told me and everything will be fine.” FiFi said to him, “I’ll be fine!” Although FiFi was nervous, she had her best friend sitting next to her, and Addie who was like an older sister to her there too, so it calmed her nerves a bit. Elias introduced FiFi, Addie, and June and said to the townspeople, “please listen to FiFi, Addie, and June.”

FiFi spoke first and said, “when playing around Hilltop House I often see strange things in the windows, like a ghost and other creatures. Seeing these things doesn’t scare me, it makes me curious, and it makes me want to go inside to see what is in there.” At hearing this, the townspeople started to whisper amongst themselves. Quincy the park manager said, “I’ve been up there, and I don’t see anything dangerous about Hilltop or Hilltop house. It is merely an old abandoned house on a hill with ample space to play.”

At hearing Quincy’s words, FiFi was happy, as she loved playing on the Hilltop House grounds. The people of the town started to whisper amongst themselves again. Clara, the town clerk decided that all the whispering was enough, and she took it upon herself to quiet everyone down. Once, everyone, was quiet Clara said, “I have seen things up at Hilltop House too.” This came as a surprise to everyone. Clara was only the second adult to come forward to seeing things. Everyone upon hearing this was more curious than anything. Not too many people ventured up to Hilltop because of rumors that there were non-human folk that takes residence in Hilltop House. 

After much discussion, it was decided that FiFi, June, and Addie would be able to go inside the house on Hilltop and report what they found. Upon hearing this FiFi said, “I’m excited to finally go into the house that I’ve been curious about for the longest time. I’m not even scared or anything.” FiFi, June, and Addie made a plan of when they would go, they decided it would be best to go when there weren’t too many kids playing on Hilltop, it was the most popular area to play in Fallhaven because of the mystery surrounding it.

It was the Saturday after the town meeting, it was rainy so kids wouldn’t be playing at Hilltop. While the kids couldn’t play at Hilltop because of the rain, and rain created mud, they found something else to do. Jacob, Bobby, Molly, Edward, Keenan, and Noah decided that they wanted to go to the library, and that is what they did. Dorothy, Edgar, Margo, Joseph and Mona, who are June, Keenan, and Noah’s parents decided to go to the library as well and use one of the conference rooms to have a parents meeting, and discuss what to do about the kids playing around Hilltop and Hilltop House depending on what was discovered. 

While the other kids were reading books at the library, and the parents were discussing parental things, it was the perfect day for FiFi, Addie, and June to finally go inside the house. Brutus, the police chief, Clara, the town manager, and Quincy the park manager would also be going to Hilltop, although they won’t be going into the house, they’re just going to make sure the girls stay safe. All reports of what was found would be delivered to Clara. The girls were excited, but FiFi was the most excited out of everyone. FiFi said to Addie, and June, “I can’t believe I’m finally going inside Hilltop House, I’m really curious as to what we’re going to find.” Addie and June were curious too, but they were a little more nervous than excited. Addie said to June, “should we give FiFi the honors of being the one to open the door, seeing as she is the one who first told people she saw things?” June replied, “Yes, we should let her have the honors.”

FiFi walked up the 10 steps to the door and opened it. She just stood in the doorway in awe at the inside of Hilltop House. There was another set of 10 steps inside the house leading up to a second floor. It was sparkling clean like someone had been taking care of it. FiFi gestured for June, and Addie to come inside. They all stood together. June said, “I didn’t expect it to look this nice inside,” Addie replied, “I didn’t either.” To the girls’ disappointment, they didn’t see or hear anything strange, but that didn’t mean there was nothing there, for the three of them had all seen things. They walked around a bit and discovered that there were six doors, they looked up at the second floor and discovered that the second floor had four. FiFi said, “There’s only three of us, how are we going to split up how many doors we each open?” June and Addie replied, “That’s a really good question.” Addie said, “I have an idea! Since you FiFi, was the first one to say anything about the house, how about you open the six doors downstairs, June, and I will take two each upstairs?” FiFi and June both agreed to this plan. FiFi noticed that there were three doors on the left side of the room, and three on the right. She decided that she was going to start on the left side of the room. As for Addie and June, they couldn’t open their doors until FiFi had opened all of her doors. They had no idea how long it was going to take to open the doors.

5/22/17

FiFi cautiously opened the first door and slowly walked inside the room, what she found shocked her. Inside the room, was a werewolf that was sleeping, but not deeply. FiFi was curious about the creature, so she slowly walked up to it, and the werewolf woke up, and he was startled at the sight of FiFi. No humans have ever wandered inside the house.  

FiFi said, “Hi I’m FiFi, what’s your name?” The Werewolf replied, “I’m Shadow, it’s nice to meet you, I got my name because usually people and other animals could only see my shadow at night.” FiFi was curious as to if the werewolf was a boy or a girl, so she politely asked, “Are you a boy or a girl?” Shadow replied, “Thank you for asking and not assuming, but I’m a boy.” Shadow was surprised that FiFi wasn’t afraid of his appearance. FiFi explained, “like myself, siblings, and our friends played on Hilltop, I often saw strange things in the windows, my siblings and friends said I was ridiculous because they never saw anything. And then, I told other people and the others that I told me that they too saw things, and it made me feel better. The townspeople allowed us to come inside the house to see what was going on after a long discussion.” Shadow said, “I’m glad you’ve come to open the doors, to see what’s inside. I’m sure the townspeople are wondering if they should be worried, but because the others and I didn’t like scaring people or being scary we were sent here and found this abandoned house to live in. We’re all self-sufficient and only go out at night.” FiFi replied, “There are others?” Shadow said, “There are nine more creatures in the house. I’m very happy to meet you.”

6/5/17

FiFi said to shadow, “I’m happy to meet you too, I need to open the other doors.” Before FiFi went to go open the other doors, she asked, “Shadow, do you ever change your form?” Shadow said, “No, I haven’t changed back to a human in a while, I’m stuck in my werewolf form, I don’t mind it. Changing form got to be annoying, so I figured out a way to stay a werewolf.” Shadow was eager for FiFi to open the other doors, and he decided to stay out in the main hall while she opened them. He had seen the main hall in the daytime, but never really stayed out in it too long. 

4/21/2020

FiFi opened the second door, and inside she found a coffin. Knowing what she knows about supernatural, non-human creatures, FiFi could only guess that inside the coffin was a Mummy. She cautiously approached the coffin, gave it a few gentle knocks, so she didn’t scare the creature inside. The creature opened the coffin door, and FiFi wasn’t surprised to see that inside was a Mummy. FiFi said to The Mummy, I’m FiFi, it’s nice to meet you, what’s your name?” The Mummy replied, “I’m Cleo, I was named after the Egyptian Goddess Cleopatra, it’s nice to meet you too.” Cleo could see that FiFi had already met Shadow and was told the story of how the creatures came to Fallhaven and Hilltop House. Cleo was curious as to how FiFi knew about her and then other creatures.

FiFi told her the story and said “My siblings, friends, and I always play on Hilltop because there’s so much room to just run around and be free. Every time we were playing, I could see things moving about the house in the only visible parts of the windows.” Cleo wondered what FiFi’s siblings and friends thought of her seeing strange things, and asked FiFi, “What did your siblings and friends think?” FiFi said to Cleo, “They all called me ridiculous, and didn’t believe me at all.” Cleo was not happy at hearing this response and said: “That wasn’t very nice of them.” FiFi agreed and said to Cleo, “They did apologize, but, I can already tell that I like you and Shadow, even though I just met you, and I can’t wait to meet the others.” Cleo joined Shadow in the main hall, and they discussed what they thought of her. Both Shadow and Cleo agreed that they liked FiFi and thought she was very nice. They couldn’t wait for FiFi to meet the others and have a party. Shadow and Cleo said to FiFi, “Have fun opening the doors, and meeting the others, we hope you like everyone else as much as you like us! FiFi replied, “I’m sure I will!”

FiFi went ahead and opened the third door, and inside she saw a coffin. This isn’t the first time FiFi saw a coffin in one of the rooms, Cleo the mummy was inside a coffin too. FiFi knocked gently on the coffin three times, and she was very startled when she saw who was inside the coffin. Inside the coffin was Dracula. Dracula woke up and was somewhat confused as to why a little girl was waking him up.

5/5/2020
It took Dracula a few minutes to fully wake up and FiFi sweetly apologized for waking him. FiFi then explained to him the whole situation, about how she saw things when she, her brothers, and their friends were playing around the area she saw things in the windows of the house. FiFi said to Dracula, “I was very curious about the house, and I even had to ask the town officials for permission to come to explore it.” Dracula said to FiFi, “There is much more to explore, there are seven more rooms in the house, and I see that you have already met Shadow, and Cleo, we’re all very good friends in the house.” FiFi was very curious about Dracula, and vampires in general, as she had never met one before, and all she knew was what she read in books that vampires turn into bats and then eat other animals. She asked him, “Are you only allowed to leave your coffin during the nighttime?” What FiFi read about vampires was that they only liked the nighttime. Dracula replied, “Oh no, I like the daytime much better than the nighttime, there’s so much going on during the day and I don’t like to miss anything. I prefer getting my rest at night, it’s so much quieter.” She then asked, “Do you turn into a bat, and what do you eat?” Dracula said, “No, I don’t turn into a bat, and you might be surprised to hear this but I stick to more plant-based foods, and I love to garden, we have a lovely garden here.”