Thomas Kingsley Troupe - Beware the Bell Witch

Beware the Bell Witch 2019 by North Star Editions, Mendota Heights, MN 55120. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, including Internet usage, without written permission from the copyright owner, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Book design by Sarah Taplin

Illustrations by Maggie Ivy

Published in the United States by Jolly Fish Press, an imprint of North Star Editions, Inc.

First Edition

First Printing, 2018

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data (pending)

978-1-63163-204-4 (paperback)

978-1-63163-203-7 (hardcover)

Jolly Fish Press

North Star Editions, Inc.

2297 Waters Drive

Mendota Heights, MN 55120

www.jollyfishpress.com

Printed in the United States of America

Thomas Kingsley Troupe

Illustrated by Maggie Ivy

Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Chapter 1

Moving Day

W hat about Watleys Car Care? Dad asked from the front seat.

Miles Watley kept looking out the window as acres of farmland passed by them on the interstate. It felt like the longer they drove, the farther away from civilization they got. Small farmhouses popped up, sitting on the edges of big fields full of corn and soybeans or whatever else they grew out in the middle of nowhere.

Its okay, Mom said. But I think I like Watleys Auto Works a little more.

The only problem? It sounds like Im telling people that my car runs, Dad replied, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. You know? How is Steve Watleys car? Well, Watleys auto works.

Miles thought he was going to go insane. Through all of Kentucky and to wherever they were in Tennessee, his parents were going back and forth trying to figure out what to call the auto shop. The auto shop that theyd just bought in Adams, Tennessee. Adams, the new town they were going to live in, was about eight and a half hours from their old house, his friends, and his hockey team.

If Miles had a choice in naming the auto shop, he wouldve called it the Thanks-for-Making-Us-Move-to-a-Dumb-Small-Town Garage. He almost suggested it after the first hour and a half of his parents working on a name, but kept his mouth shut.

What do you think, Miles? Mom was turned around in her seat looking at him.

Miles shrugged and glanced at his younger brother, Ryder, who had his earbuds in and was completely immersed in his video game. Suddenly, he wished hed kept his handheld system out for the drive instead of packed in a box somewhere in the moving truck.

But did you see what I mean about the one Mom liked? Dad asked. If you read it the wrong way, its kind of goofy.

No, yeah, Miles said. I get it.

What do you think we should call the shop? Mom asked again.

You dont want to know, Miles thought.

Im not sure, Miles replied. What about something simple like Watleys Garage?

Mom turned and looked at Dad. They were quiet for a minute, making Miles think maybe they thought his name was stupid.

Its simple, Dad admitted.

Its not bad, Mom added.

There! Can we talk about something else now? Miles thought. Theyd even turned off the radio to throw name ideas back and forth. Not that he wanted to listen to their old music anyway. But of course, his headphones were packed up and somewhere miles behind them in the moving van.

Well have to put that one on the list of contenders, Mom finally said and jotted the name down in her notebook, along with the seven others they were considering.

Cool, Miles said and turned to stare back out the window.

So, Dad said after theyd gone another mile or two. Are you going to stay mad at us forever?

Miles looked up and saw his dad glance at him in the rearview mirror.

No, Miles said, but knew the tone of his voice sounded like he was.

Not sure I believe you, pal, Dad said.

Well, am I happy were moving? Miles asked. No. Not even a little bit. I think living out here is going to suck.

Watch it, Miles, Mom said. I dont like you talking like that.

Im thirteen, Mom, Miles replied. All of my friends talk that way.

Well, Mom said, maybe its best were moving away from friends like that.

Ouch, Miles thought.

Its going to be fine, Dad said, slowing down as they entered a small town. Just wait and see. A new change of scenery, some new friends

No hockey team for me to play on, Miles said, interrupting.

Dad sighed and nodded slowly, as if he was trying to keep himself calm.

Youre right and Im sorry about that, Dad replied. But maybe this is the year you give basketball a try.

They have a bowling team too, Mom added.

Perfect, Miles mumbled and stared back out the window.

Ryder tugged at the middle of his earbud cord, making his headphones pop out.

Are we almost there? he asked. I really have to pee.

Less than an hour, Dad replied, checking the navigation on his phone.

Yeah, Ryder said, Im not going to make it that long.

__________________

One pit stop and forty-three minutes later, the Watley family pulled into Adams, Tennessee, the town they were going to call home.

This is where were going to live? Ryder asked, adjusting his glasses and looking at his parents in the front seat. Seriously?

Miles wasnt sure what his younger brother expected when the family had been talking about the move for the last few months.

Oh, you love it? Dad joked, turning left onto Interstate 41.

Uh, yeah, Ryder said. Sure.

He turned and gave Miles a look like hed just smelled the monkey house back at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Miles gave him a thin smile and raised his eyebrows as if to say, I told you.

As Miles stared back out the window, he noticed a bunch of signs along the side of the road. They were white and looked like theyd been there a long time. Written on one of the signs in fancy old-time writing were the words:

Historic Bell Witch Cave Inc.

John Bell Cabin

Bell Witch Souvenirs & Gifts

Mile

Did you guys see ... Miles began, but the car turned and left the cluster of signs behind.

Look at these cute little houses along the road, Mom said. Life is going to be so much more easygoing and calm here.

Are we going to live on this busy road? Ryder asked. His face looked pinched, like he was expecting his parents to say yes.

No, no, Dad replied. Our place is a couple of blocks off the main drag. But we wanted to live close to the shop, which is farther up the way.

Miles all but forgot about the Bell Witch sign, instead sitting up straighter in his seat to take in all the town of Adams had to offer. They passed some houses that werent as cute as the ones his mom pointed out. Some had a bunch of junk in the front yards or run-down pickup trucks. One house looked like all its white paint was flaking off.