Hello, fellow readers! This story is based on the children's series of the same name and, of course, the 2015 movie. This is kinda my own version as you can see. This is kinda half-fictionalized, half-based on R.L. Stine's life. Inspired from the fact that Stine based some of his books on his real life. In this, all of the monsters and such depicted in his Goosebumps are actually real in real life. Enjoy and please review!
It was the year 1960 on April 29 during the Spring in Bexley, Ohio and all of the ground was covered in blooming flowers ready to enjoy the gleaming sunshine and rainwater to drink. Nature was ready to open her eyes for a fresh start. At Bexley High School, everyone was getting ready for Spring break. The school bell rang and a Spanish-American teen named Aswin Lynch was going through his locker with his backpack on. He and his family uprooted to the United States in Ohio after his father got a new job there. There were a lot of strong jocks in the school that always pushed him around, beat him to submission and called him rude and racist names like "taco" or "roadblock" or "greaser". He ignored the ridicule as much as he could.
"Hey, Aswin." He heard squeaky voice greet him. Aswin looked to see Robert Lawrence "R.L." Stine, his best friend forever. They first met on his first day at school. He was been bullied and he was there for him. Aswin gets bullied as well, mostly for being a foreigner. Robert is looking to become an author in the future. He didn't study much and wasn't the average straight-A student. In fact, he spent most of his time writing stories, comics and jokes. He even joined the school newspaper.
"Hello, Robert." Aswin said to his friend.
"I just got a lead that the old Martin house might be haunted! We gotta go check it out!" said Robert anxiously.
"The one from Dark Falls?" Aswin asked, to which, Robert nodded in response. Dark Falls was the next town over and there had been a rumor of an old, abandoned house that was said to be haunted.
"Are you sure you wanna do that?" Aswin raised an eyebrow with a hint of uncertainty in his voice. Robert always did have a knack for creepy, scary stuff.
"I promise this won't be like last time! How was I to know that cemetery had a roaming night guard." replied Robert.
"We had to do a month's worth of community service because of that! And half of it was at night!" exclaimed Aswin in a serious tone.
"At least we learned that no zombies were going to pop up." Robert shrugged.
"That only happens in the movies!" Aswin cried annoyed.
"Not from what I've seen!" said Robert in defense. True to his word, Robert had seen some creepy creatures before, but Aswin was skeptical.
Finally, Aswin gave a sigh of defeat. "Alright." He told him. "But this is the last time. If anything happens, ANYTHING, I'm blaming you."
"Fair enough." said Robert nodding, adjusting his glasses.
Later that afternoon, Aswin and Robert left their homes and set their plan in motion. Robert had been writings some manuscripts for his future books with a typewriter that he had gotten for his birthday two years ago. He was an avid fan of monsters, ghosts, ancient cruses, giant monster movies, etc. and that's where he got his inspiration from. He had attempted his first series, Fear Street, and kept those writings on his study for safe keeping. Now he was planning on writing the first book to a new series he was working on. He hadn't quite got the title for it. The two teenagers made their way to Dark Falls in Aswin's Jeep. It was an old Wrangler. It was a bit sensitive to every bump in the road.
"You seriously need to get your shocks fixed." said Robert.
"My grandpapa gave me this for my birthday last year." Aswin sighed. "He said it was father's. Still has some peccadillos that need to be looked at."
"You know, I'm still working on an idea for my first book." Robert explained. "Maybe tonight, I might get some inspiration."
"That's what you said last time." Aswin shook his head, keeping his eyes on the road.
"I can't explain it, but I got a good feeling about this one." said Robert.
They finally passed the sign for the town and proceeded to their destination. The old Martin house, a two story farm house that had been abandoned for years. There was a rumor going around that it's haunted by a hostile spirit or spirits. No one has stayed there long enough to find out because of the intense nature of the supernatural events. Windows opening, doors creaking and objects flying at high speeds. It was deemed unsafe for anyone to venture in but that has never stopped anyone curious enough to go in.
As they drove through the half-deserted looking town, Aswin spotted the local nuclear power plant, Dark Falls Inc. He heard that there was almost a meltdown at that place. It had been subsided, but most of the townsfolk moved out, fearing that there would be dangerous toxins spreading around. Aswin drove his Jeep up to suburban street until they finally came across the Martin House, standing there, looking untouched.
"I can't believe I let you talk me into this." Aswin muttered.
"Come on." Robert exclaimed. "We just go in, take a small peak around the joint and then leave."
"Why do I always trust your logic?" Aswin asked and hopped out of the Jeep. "Got your flashlight?"
"Right here." His friend nodded, grabbing his flashlight.
They walked along the pathway and up the steps to the front door. They both just stood there, as if waiting for the other to knock.
"You first." said Robert.
"No way! This was your idea. So you knock first." Aswin refused sounding doubtful and somewhat afraid.
"But I-" Before Robert could finish his sentence, the door slowly opened with a loud creak, as if by itself, catching the two off guard.
"Alright, I'll got first." Aswin replied, turning his flashlight on and entering through the entrance with Robert close behind him. As soon as they were about a couple feet into the house, they got a good look around the place with their flashlights. To no surprise at all, it certainly looked old, with cobwebs and dusty old furniture to match. Without exception, it looked badly in need of repair. But then suddenly, without warning, the front door suddenly slammed itself closed, scaring the two out of their socks.
"Well, no turning back now." said Robert.
"Uh, yes! Turn back now!" Aswin complained, irritated.
"Look, give me a few minutes to look around. You can just stay here and wait for whatever else might happen."
Robert began to walk forward while Aswin stood there looking annoyed. Soon it got quiet, too quiet. It was becoming unnerving for Aswin. He wasn't the big thrill and chill seeker like his friend was. But he was his friend and he couldn't let him down, no matter how frightening and sketchy the situation seemed.
After going through the dilapidated establishment, the kitchen, the dining room, the bedrooms, etc., Robert finally went to check the attic. It had a ladder which he climbed up and with a strong push, he opened the door to the attic filled with dusty boxes and more spiderwebs, but he was unfazed by this. Robert walked around, taking in the sights. There was a small round window which illuminated the light of the moon. Then Robert suddenly came across a small chest. Crouching down for a better look, he wiped the dust off to reveal a sign that said "Slappy" in big, bold letters. Robert was confused.
"What's a 'Slappy'?" He asked to no one in particular.
He opened the chest to reveal a ventriloquist dummy with it's eyes closed. The dummy had smooth, black hair and wore a black suit with a red bow tie.
"Always hated these things." Robert replied. He picked the ugly thing up from it's chest and held it up to his eye level. The very look of it creeped Robert out. He opened the dummy's mouth with his pointer finger.
"You are hideous." He said shaking his head.
But then the most shocking, unexpected thing ever just happened. The dummy...opened it's eyes and blinked at him. Robert yelped, dropping the dummy in the process. He hastily placed it back into it's chest and slammed it shut. He panted hard as if he had just run a marathon. Never in his life had he seen a dummy blink, let alone move on it's own. But then he heard Aswin scream from the den of the house. Robert grabbed his flashlight and ran out of the attic, down the staircase and saw Aswin trying to pry the door open.
"What's going on?" Robert asked.
"THAT!" Aswin screamed, pointing behind him. Robert turned and his face drained of color when he saw a ghoulish looking person behind them. It had rotting flesh and old tattered, clothes. The ghoul was making a sound similar to a moan and a low growl and he started towards the two with it's arms open, ready to grab them. That's when Robert panicked and shoved Aswin hard, causing their weight to rip the door off it's hinges and sending them tumbling to the ground. They raced back to the Jeep as fast as their legs could carry them.
"Start the car!" yelled Robert.
"I'm trying!"
Unfortunately, Aswin was having problems starting the car. He growled in frustration and fear as he jiggled the key in the ignition, but to no luck.
"Stupid piece of crap!" yelled Robert.
After turning the key for the fourth time, it finally started. But when headlights turned on, they saw the ghoulish man came towards the car. They both screamed as Aswin put the car in reverse and stomped on the pedal, driving as fast the car would allow, far away from the house. Aswin looked in the rearview mirror to see the man standing in the street, watching them speed away. The man then walked back towards the house. The two boys sighed in relief.
"That was too close." Robert panted.
"Yeah, no shit!" Aswin exclaimed. "I can't believe I went through all that! That really gave me goosebumps!"
That word suddenly clicked in Robert's mind, as his fear was immediately forgotten.
"Yeah, goosebumps." He said, thinking.
That's the first chapter. You can see how Stine got his inspiration for the first book for the franchise, Welcome to Dead House. Wait and see what happens next! Please review!