Chapter 2: In the Haunted Night
In the last chapter, a witch haunted JumpStartville turning it into her own playground. Who is this witch and what is her purpose here?
We now return to what remains of this haunted town is nothing but darkness in the night. No daylight. The structures are covered in cobwebs and some cracks are formed around them. Even some portion of the walls have fallen apart. Not to mention that rats and spiders scurry around the town. There are even skulls and bones on the streets, paths and roads. Plus, bats flutter around the whole haunted town.
However, there is at least some lights but they shine a bit dim. And for some reason, one house is not entirely haunted for the lights are on bright. And inside the house is no other than our wordsmith Eleanor who's reading a novel. "And I already read 5 chapters of 'Little Women'." Eleanor stated as she put the novel back into her bookshelf. "Okay... I think it's time I get some fresh air." So Eleanor went out only to see, "Huh? Nightfall has come? But's it's only 10am in the morning. Why si it so dark and-" She then heard the howling wind. "Creepy..."
It was unexpected for Eleanor as she walked around town to see nothing but darkness around it. Fortunately, Eleanor found a flashlight on the ground and made use of it's light source to search around and also, "A white key? Shaped like a skull. Interesting..." She kept the key as the wind howled causing trees to sway with creaking sound. "It's scary and haunted..." She said to herself as she continued walking around. She passed by the houses and buildings to see the minor damage. She even saw bones and skulls lying around the roads and pavements. "It's really creeping me out. I wonder what happened to all of JumpStartville? Why is it in this state? I need to find some answer quick before something terrifying may happen." And one way is to leave the town and that's what Eleanor did.
Now that she left town, Eleanor went up further down the road to view the entire town. "How peculiar. I see some strange looking structures that are horror themed." She view around some more and, "I see a large castle surrounded by water. That reminds me, isn't CJ's house also surrounded by it or what if the castle has to do with..." Before she could analyse, a flapping sound was heard. She turned around using her flashlight to find the source of the flapping. "Nothing around here..." She turned to her right and then, "What's this? A cart lying outside? It was never on this spot and-" She went to the cart and saw something written on the side of the caravan. "Madame Pomreeda." After reading it, the flapping sound was heard again. So Eleanor used the light source and this time, she found it.
"EEEEEK! A bat!" She backed away as the purple bat flew down in front of her. "Well, hello there. What a nice specimen you'll make." The bat greeted while chuckling. Then, he looked closer at Eleanor and exclaimed. "Hey! You must be one of the all-stars aren't you? You're lucky to be indoors all the way! During that time, the witch Ms Grunkle attacked your town haunting it and turning it into her own territory! Worse, she turned all the inhabitants into monsters and kept them in her castle as her prized possessions!" Eleanor gasped. "So that's what happened..." She thought. "But, what about my friends?"
"The other all-stars? Oh yes, Ms Grunkle also turned them into monsters and kept them in her room as her most favoured prized possessions. She even hid their prized possessions around town and by finding them, we can break the spell and restore your friends back to normal. Oh and if you do not know me, the name's Flap."
"Okay...So Flap, by finding the items, my friends will be restored but what about the others?"
"Oh that. You see, Ms Grunkle cast 2 similar spells with different setbacks to break them. You know one setback already, the other is unknown. Not even I can figure it out."
"Well then. Can you explain this?" Eleanor took out the key she found earlier. "Ah. A skeleton key. Yes, Ms Grunkle must have scattered them all over the haunted town. You must find 50 keys to enter her castle and face her once you've rescues the other all-stars but be careful, it won't be easy as some of the buildings in the town are transformed into challenge areas. Each area has an activity you need to participate. You'll earn keys if you completed them with success. You can also find keys around town if you catch a glimpse of something white and sparkling around town. Now, to begin the adventure, go see Madame Pomreeda, she'll guild and aid you throughout this adventure." Flap pointed at the door as Eleanor went to it and opened it as she and Flap entered the cart.
Inside the cart, there is a chair in front of a table with a crystal ball on it. At the opposite side, a figure wearing a blue cloak with yellow stars and crescent moons down the front, and a light cream-colored shirt underneath it and also, a cream-colored shawl around her head and neck. She also wears a blue hat with a veil that for some reason opened up revealing a middle-aged woman. Seeing Eleanor, "Oh I'm so glad you've come. Your friends really need your help to stop that villainous Ms Grunkle. I believe Flap told you everything you need to know right?"
"Well yes. He told me everything."
"Good. You'll need all the help you can get to stop Ms Grunkle's reign of horror like what she did before." Eleanor looked surprised. "Before?"
"Yes. Once, she went to a school and turned 13 children into monsters. However, one was absent and Flap and I aid the child to restore his friends and stop the witch. After that, she flew out of sight. We never heard from her again until now." Madame Pomreeda then continued on. "It's clearly unknown on how she entered your world but it may have been some sort of dimensional travel that she worked on in her magic. Likewise, I did the same thing with some of my magic."
"But based on what I see-"
"Yes dear. When you entered my shelter, you assume that I am a fortune teller due to the crystal ball you see on this table. But I am not only a fortune teller, I am also a sorceress. I used magic too but not very much as to not reveal more of my identity." Eleanor looked a bit puzzled as, "It's very surprising if you ask me."
"Well no matter, shall we begin the quest?" Eleanor nodded as Madame Pomreeda looked into her crystal ball. "Dear crystal ball. Show me the first victim to be redeemed from his torment." The crystal responded by showing a vision of a 3 headed dog. Eleanor and Flap gasped. "A 3 headed dog? Frankie only has one head. Now he resembled the guard dog of Hades who guards the underworld." Madame Pomreeda exclaimed. "This is terrible! We have to do something!" Eleanor stated. "Indeed. Now, your adventure begins with this." Madame Pomreeda raised her hand and moved it above the table in slow motion. At that moment, 4 cards appeared. "Pick a card to begin your adventure." Eleanor picked one and it read.
Start your quest where skulls are piled
In an area full of bones and joints
You must assemble 3 skeletons
"What a challenge!" Eleanor exclaimed. "Yes. All the activities in town are challenging." Flap stated. "Indeed. That is why, he'll accompany you to aid you and advise you." Madame Pomreeda assured to her as a map appeared on the table. "Take this map. It will show you the geography of the entire haunted town. That way, you won't be lost and you'll find the challenge areas without a problem."
"Thank you very much." After this was said and done, Eleanor and Flap left the cart.
Outside the darkness, Eleanor and Flap studied the map through the flashlight. "So many areas. This is not going to be easy..." Eleanor looked worried as, "Don't worry. There is always hope. Just believe that there is. We'll do this together and save your town. Once it's over, you can see light again." Flap assured to her. Eleanor then smiled. "Thank you. Now I have a role to play. And that role is to save this town!"
"Alright! Our journey begins!" Flap declared as they hi-5 each other and made their way down to the haunted town.
Eleanor has seen it. Being the only inhabitant left, she now begins her quest to free her friends and stop Ms Grunkle from terrorizing the town. And so the fun begins in the next chapter...beware...
Skeleton Keys: 1/50