Michael Dahl - The Stranger on the Stairs: And Other Scary Tales

Dear Reader,

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET?

Everyone is afraid.

Heres another secret: everyone is afraid of different things.

You might be afraid of snakes, spiders, elevators, closets, loud noises, the shadow under your bed. You never know what your friend or the person down the street fears, but one thing is certain we have all been afraid at one time or another. Fear is something we all have in common.

The following tales also have something in common. They are each about people who are afraid. Very afraid. Read their stories. See if you share their fears.

Because if you dont now you will.

Noah and his older brother, Sky, both folded their arms and stared at their parents across the dinner table.

I dont believe it, said Sky.

You only have to share a bedroom for a week, their mother explained patiently.

I want my own room, Sky said, pouting.

As soon as we are finished painting, said their father, you will each have your own room.

This place is creepy, said Noah.

Their mother sighed and said, Its not creepy. Theres so much sunshine and fresh air.

Its got sunshine, thought Noah, because there arent any trees.

Their new home had been a boarding house for loggers a hundred years ago. It sat in the middle of frogs. The driveway was dirt, and it didnt meet another road for at least five miles. The giant house had four porches, a front parlor with five sofas, a sauna built into the side of a hill, and more than a dozen bedrooms.

Creepy, Noah had decided.

That night, the brothers trudged angrily up to the third floor of the new house and got ready for bed. Sky rested his head on his pillow and stared over at his brothers bed. I hope the ghosts dont keep you awake, he said, smiling.

Noah could see his brothers teeth shine in the darkness. Quit it, Sky, he said.

Oh, you didnt know? said Sky. Yeah, Dad told me this place is haunted.

I said, quit it!

One of the old loggers died outside during a blizzard, Sky continued. He went out to pee, and the door locked behind him.

I mean it!

He knocked and knocked, Sky said, but no one heard him. The wind was too loud. And in the morning, they found him dead on the doorstep, frozen solid.

Yeah, right. Noah rolled his eyes. He didnt believe his brother at all.

His hand was frozen in midair, Sky continued. Like he was trying to knock.

Im telling Dad in the morning if you dont stop, said Noah.

Morning is a long way away, said Sky. Then he snapped off the bedside lamp they both shared and turned over to sleep. Well, good night, bro.

Noah didnt say anything. He gripped the covers and listened to the wind as it rumbled across the ancient roof.

Its June. Theres no chance of a blizzard, Noah thought.

He grew tired, and he finally drifted off to sleep.

But in the middle of the night, he woke up with a start. What was that noise? Just the wind again, Noah told himself.

Why did Sky have to tell me that stupid story about the dead logger anyway? Noah wondered. Even if there was a ghost, what would he be doing up here on the third floor? Hed still be outside, knocking on the door where he died right? He took a deep breath and leaned back on his pillow.

Tomorrow night, Noah decided, Ill tell Sky a spooky story. A story about a ghost with burning eyes. Let him try to sleep peacefully tonight, though

Knock, knock.

Noah slowly peered over his covers.

Knock, knock.

The sound came from their half-open door.

Cut it out, Sky, said Noah. He glanced over toward his brother. It was hard to see in the dim moonlight, but it looked like Skys bed was empty.

Knock, knock.

Noah stared at the door. A shadow stood in the hallway. Tall and heavy, like their father. It didnt move.

Dad? croaked Noah. His tongue and lips felt dry.

The shadow grew darker, then faded away. Noah blinked a few times. My eyes are tired, he thought. Thats all.

Sky, he called weakly.

He heard another sound. Not exactly a knock, but more like a bump. And it came from beyond Skys bed. It came from their closet.

Noah was angry now. This was too much.

He threw off his blankets and jumped up out of bed. He stomped over to the closet and yanked open the door. Ha, ha! Funny, Sky! he said.

On the floor of the closet sat his brother. Sky was hunched up, holding his knees to his chest and staring up at Noah in terror. His mouth opened a few times, but nothing came out. Then Sky whispered, Dont dont let it in.

Noah felt something grip his shoulder. A cold, hard hand.

It was the thing Jake hated more than anything else about winter: a cold toilet seat.

And tonight, that was exactly what he had to look forward to.

His parents and older sister were at a family get-together for New Years Eve. Jake had refused to go. There had been a big fight, and he ended up staying home alone. When his family drove off, Jake called his friend Phil, who was planning to have a bunch of people over. Phil didnt pick up. Jake tried a few other numbers, but no one answered.

Everyone was out having a good time.

A warm time.

Jakes dad insisted on keeping their set at 62 degrees. It saves money, he always said.

But whenever the heat was set at 62 degrees, the toilet seat was freezing. Jake didnt care how much money it cost to keep his butt warm, but his dad never backed down. And if Jake turned up the heat while his parents were at the party, he knew theyd find out somehow. They always did.

And now Jake had to use the bathroom.

He had been watching the late news on TV, watching all the parties that were happening around the world. Happening without him.

A reporter came on and aired a story about local break-ins. Most houses were empty that evening because their owners were out celebrating all night. It was prime time for burglars and thieves. Some of them could be .

Just what I need to hear, thought Jake as he pressed the remote.

No matter how many times he switched channels, though, he couldnt switch off the call of nature. And the longer he waited, the colder it would be. That toilet seat would be good and frosty. Especially since he was home alone, and there was no one around to use it before him and warm it up.

Jake trudged down the dark hallway to the bathroom. He prepared himself for the chill against his tender skin. Sitting on the cool stool always reminded him of jumping into a pool full of cold water. Or falling into a snow bank.