The Barking Ghost

9

"Cooper, this is a joke — right?" Dad asked, shaking his head.

"Huh? No way!" I cried. "They were right behind me. One almost bit me, and — "

"And then they disappeared into thin air!" Dad declared.

"Come into the woods with me," I pleaded. "They've got to be there." I ran to the edge of the woods, desperately searching for some sign of the dogs. Dad followed right behind.

But there was nothing to see.

I turned and slunk back to the house.

Dad didn't say anything until we were back in the yard. He sat down on the jungle gym slide. His eyes studied me.

"Cooper, tell me what's wrong," Dad said in a low voice. I could tell he thought I had made all this up.

"I told you, Dad. Two dogs chased me through the woods. They were inches from me! One tried to tear my leg off!"

Dad continued to stare up at me, his expression thoughtful.

"Dad, listen," I pleaded. "We have to move. We can't live here!"

He climbed to his feet. "What are you talking about, Cooper?"

"We have to move back to Boston," I insisted. "We can't stay here!"

"Why not?" Dad asked.

"It's this house!" I shouted, my voice cracking. "It's haunted!"

"Now, Cooper — "

"Dad! Listen to me," I begged. "The woods… this house… they're all haunted. Everybody around here knows it already! We never should have moved here!"

"Cooper, you're not making any sense," Dad replied, keeping his voice low and calm. "You know, walking in the woods by yourself can be scary. Why don't you come inside and calm down? Mom made a big breakfast. Have some French toast. You'll feel better." He put his arm around my shoulders.

Now I really felt upset. My own father didn't believe me.

"But, Dad, it's true!" I insisted. "The woods are haunted, and this weird girl I met warned me to move out! She — "

"Cooper, I know you're unhappy about the move," Dad said. "But these wild stories aren't going to change anything. This is where we live now."

"But — "

"When school starts, you'll make some new friends and everything will be fine. So come on in and have breakfast. You'll feel better. You'll see."

He led me back to the house.

As Dad held the door open for me, I glanced back and took one last look at the woods.

Two big black dogs stared at me from the trees.