Steve Brezenoff - The Case of the Soldiers Ghost

1. The Vietnam War occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from November 1955 until the fall of Saigon in April 1975.
2. The Vietnam War is the longest war in which the United States has participated.
3. Prior to the war, Vietnam, a small country in Southeast Asia, was separated into North Vietnam and South Vietnam. North Vietnam was communist and wanted to end U.S. support to South Vietnam and combine the two halves into one country.
4. The Vietnam War was extremely unpopular back in the United States. Many people participated in demonstations protesting the war.
5. Nearly sixty thousand U.S. soldiers were killed in the war. More than one hundred and fifty thousand were injured, and more than two thousand four hundred soldiers are still missing.

Amal Farah
Age: 11
Favorite Museum: Air and Space Museum
Interests: astronomy, space travel, and building models of space ships

Raining Sam
Age: 12
Favorite Museum: American History Museum
Interests: Ojibwe history, culture, and traditions, American history good and bad

Clementine Wim
Age: 13
Favorite Museum: Art Museum
Interests: painting, sculpting with clay, and anything colorful

Wilson Kipper
Age: 10
Favorite Museum: Natural History Museum
Interests: dinosaurs (especially pterosaurs and herbivores), and building dinosaur models

It was after closing time when Raining Sam and his friend Amal Farah wandered the darkened halls of the Capitol City American History Museum. The museum might be closed to the public, but the two kids were allowed to wander as long as they didnt touch anything because Rainings father worked at the museum.

Are you going to the Fourth of July party? Amal said as they walked along the main corridor. The galleries on either side were almost completely dark, lit only by the glowing red exit signs that dotted the walls and ceilings. Outside, a summer thunderstorm was kicking into high gear.

I think so, Raining said. He shoved his hands into his pockets. If my dad doesnt have to work, that is.

Its a national holiday! Amal said. The museum will be closed.

The museum is closed now! Raining pointed out. But his dad was working that very moment, which is why Raining and Amal were wandering the halls, waiting for him to finish up for the day.

Okay, good point, Amal admitted. But still. The museums are throwing the party. Hell probably go, right? She knew all about the event since her father worked at the Air and Space Museum. The duos other best friends Clementine Wim and Winston Kipper each also had a parent who worked at a Capitol City museum. It was how theyd all become such good friends.

Probably, Raining said as they reached the huge archway at the end of the corridor. Beyond that were the shadowy figures inside the , lit dimly under the exit signs.

Suddenly lightning cracked, lighting up the big gallery and its archway for an instant. A moment later, thunder boomed and shook the world.

Raining turned around. Lets go back.

But Amal kept walking. Whats in there? she said. Isnt that the gallery thats always been closed?

Raining stopped. Under construction, he corrected. They finished last week. Its the new Vietnam War .

Amal nodded and walked slowly on. I want to see it, she said.

Its too dark to see, Raining said.

My eyes will adjust, Amal insisted. But you can wait out here if youre too scared. With that, she stepped through the archway and vanished into the darkness.

Raining sighed and rolled his eyes. Hed already seen the exhibit hed been there when it opened. But he didnt love the idea of standing in front of that giant, dark archway just waiting for Amal to pop back out. So he stepped inside too.

Amal! Raining called into the darkness as he moved slowly through the gallery. Hed been inside once, but he didnt know by heart where everything was, and he sure didnt want to start bumping into things. Where are you?

Oof! Amal grunted in response. Obviously she had bumped into something.

You okay? Raining asked, doing his best to follow Amals voice through the darkness. Lightning cracked again, and for an instant, the gallery was illuminated. Raining thought he saw Amal to his left, hunched over, and started in that direction.

Im fine, Amal called back. Strangely, her voice seemed to come from behind him now. But you were right. I cant see a thing in here except when theres some lightning.

Lets go then, Raining said, turning around. Head for the doorway.

Just a sec, Amal replied. This time her voice seemed to come from clear across the gallery, near the huge windows overlooking the Big Lawn that connected all the museums in the Capitol City collection. I can see a little if I stand over by the window.

Raining rolled his eyes and walked with his hands in front of him, feeling his way around the against the huge window.

What are you looking at? Raining asked as he approached.

Im not sure. Amal stood before a trio of life-size soldiers mannequins, really and squinted at the plaque in front of them. I cant read in this light.

Well come back tomorrow, Raining said. Lets go. Dad will be done soon.

Fine, fine, Amal said.

Raining led her back through the gallery, around the diorama in the middle, and toward the big archway. As they reached it, lightning struck again.

Raining and Amal both turned and looked back into the gallery at the same time. In the brief instant it was illuminated by the lightning bolt, a hunched-over figure hurried across the rear of the gallery. He was carrying something in his hands.

Did you see that? Raining asked.

Amal nodded. A soldier.

He had a helmet on, Raining said.

It must have been a trick of the light. From the lightning strike, Amal whispered.

There was no one else in the gallery a second ago, right? Raining asked as Amal looped her arm into his elbow.

Right, Amal said. So it must have been a trick of the light.

Together they backed away from the huge archway.

Because if it wasnt , Raining said.

Then it was a ghost, Amal finished.

Lightning and thunder struck together just then, lighting up the gallery and shaking the museum. Raining and Amal screamed, turned around, and ran back to Dr. Sams office.