Chapter 28: Soft Spot Inside Me

Slappy

The next day, I woke up late. I wasn't sure what time it was, but I didn't care. I know Stine left the house because when I looked out the window, his car was gone, leaving me by myself in the house, the sun at the top of the sky.

Placing my hand on the glass, I watched the other adults doing there afternoon routine from doing garden work to relaxing and reading on their porches, minding their own business. They seem to be happy, too.

Getting away from the window, I carefully made my way to the kitchen, taking slow, steady steps in order not to fall on the floor.

Good thing Stine said I have a choice for me to get fixed up or not. To be honest... he was right about me, needing to get me all fixed up in order to get me to feel better. The marks don't suit my personality in anyway possible.

Ugh… It's all the monsters fault. I don't blame Stine anymore for a quick change. All of my allies betrayed me for being 'slow'. So what? I'm only three feet tall. It's not like he's going to turn me into a human or anything. It'll be...interesting... But I don't think he has the time to do that sort of thing for me.

Also, it has to add into the fact to where I have to be put back in the new book, in a way for him to make me human. I rather stay the way I am to avoid more injuries for those who followed my lead.

Feeling betrayed isn't fun. It makes you not want to trust anybody, knowing what'll happen next if you try to say something. For me, I personally believe I'm being hated by Hannah, even though she said she didn't. How can I be sure about it? She never liked me for a start, like a certain someone who hated my guts. It's better not to say his name because it gives me...goosebumps thinking about him. And it's not Stine. It's someone else I dreaded for.

Arriving into the kitchen, I saw the dishwasher filled with dishes, unclean and unwashed. So thinking it was a good idea, I decided to start the dishwasher. Maybe it'll keep me out of trouble...? I don't know. I never did good things, never helped someone.

Don't get me wrong, I helped Stine scare is bullies away from his property. It was the best job I ever had. Except, I took my scares and pranks way too far from beyond then I should do. We both blame ourselves for different reasons.

Dragging myself to the dining room, I watched my shoes taking me to the room, one of them being untied. I didn't care; didn't care at all. I'll fix it later. No need to stop to tie my shoe.

"Whoa!" I let out a cry when I tripped, stepping on one of my laces, landing face first onto the floor, right close to the dining room. Muttering under my breath, I pushed myself up, smoothing down my tux. "You need to be more careful, Slappy..." I told myself. "Quit being a klutz." Scolding didn't help at least once. It only made me feel worse about who I am.

I know who I am. I'm a monster, not a good guy. Stine says I can be one as long as I keep myself together. I'm not sure how to do it, but it seems like I am. I haven't caused any trouble, haven't broken anything except for what I did last night.

I felt somewhat bad for scaring his daughter. I don't know why I threw the picture of me and him against the wall, having the glass break into pieces.

I didn't like the way he pulled me into this room, grabbing me without permission. Besides, I already hated being touched by him and others ever since what happened to me... It makes me feel...upset...

I can't blame him for scolding me. The truth is, I may not be a child, but... I'm afraid of getting people; humans, to trust me. Nobody is gonna trust a creation like me to help others. However, Stine said I'll be a great older brother, despite the things I've done in the past.

The thing is, I don't see myself as a sibling. I mean, I do have two siblings... Unless I'm wrong... Just because I'm older doesn't necessarily mean I want a sibling.

Not wanting to be in this room for more than five minutes, I trudged my way to living room, walking up the couch near the window. Grabbing the edge of it, I forced myself onto it, catching my balance.

Putting my hands on the windowsill, I looked at the outside world. I forgot how...beautiful outside can be. Of course, the weather can't be always nice. Every now and then, it has to send down rain water, giving water to the plants who are now being warmed up by the sun. I do say some patches of snow sparkled on the grass like diamonds and gems, glinting from the rays of sun.

It did not make me feel any what better. Snow isn't very exciting... One day it'll know, the next few days, it'll be washed away; gone. I never go outside when it snows. Never. Too cold for me since I wear nothing but a tux with trousers

"Hello?" A sudden knock came through the front door, followed by a voice. Great, who is it? "Anyone home?" the voice called in, sounding like a male. I didn't answer the door, keeping low on the couch in hopes the person would not look into the window. "Huh, guess nobody is home. Oh well, I'll leave the package here." Package? "The guy is probably at work," the man from the other side of the door assumed.

Waiting for him to leave, my ears picked up on his footsteps, leaving the area. When he was gone, I let out a breath of relief. "Good thing he didn't spot me," I spoke softly. Now, he did say he has a package… I should bring it into the house.

Getting off the couch, I made my way to the door, jumping at the knob, only to miss it.

Trying again, my fingers brushed it, failing me. I kicked the door with frustration. "Stine can get it himself," I stated. Walking away from the window, I went to the other couch, the one facing the TV. I want to watch another movie, but I don't want anyone in the neighborhood to hear it.

Flopping myself onto the cushion, I beat my fist onto it, feeling angry for an unknown reason. I don't know why, I just am.

I felt like an idiot for what I had done, disobeying Stine when he told me not to send the people he hated into the hospital. I should have known not to do such a thing, except for giving out scares, lots of scares.

I'm a failure, a complete failure. I don't why I used a knife to keep the bullies away from my creator, whom I look up to, in a not so literal sense.

Sitting up, I decided to watch some regular TV. I don't care for those who are outside would hear the TV on. Best to do it anyway for those not to come to the door. Besides, I need time to think alone, needing to clear my wooden head.

Grabbing the remote that Stine left on the couch, I looked at all the different buttons, one of them being red with the word power on it. Pressing my thumb on it, the television came on, the loud, blasting sound coming through it.

With a startled move, I quickly fumbled with the remote, seeing a button reading volume with two arrows. One pointing up, the other pointing down. From my guess, the one pointing down is to turn the volume to a lower sound.

Putting my thumb on it, I turned it down until the blaring volume was down enough where it didn't hurt my ears.

"Phew," I expressed, wiping my forehead like I was sweating. "Glad I turned the TV down." Looking at the screen, I saw some sort of show with animals on it. Baby ones of kittens on there in front of me. "What's this show?" I wondered out loud. Looking down, there's a button with the word guide on it.

Curiosity got the better of me, wanting to know what this button can do. I pushed it down, seeing a list of shows and channels, one of them being Animal Planet and the show I'm seeing, which is being highlighted is known to be Too Cute. Blah… For being made out of wood, I can't stick my tongue to show how...how...how...

"Awww." I couldn't help it, I had to release it. Seeing the kittens on there made me feel… good? Is that the right word for this show? I'm not sure... I mean, I have never seen anything cute in my entire life. I'm more into creepy stuff, like horror movies and whatnot.

But I couldn't take my eyes off the show... I decided to watch it, wanting to know what else comes on after this one, and maybe I'll figure out how to switch to another channel to a much scarier one.

Dropping the remote next to me after I went back to regular screen, I continue watching the kittens, listening to the narrator of this...adorable show. I couldn't help but laugh when two kittens in the group let out these noises, sounding so squeaky and so...cute.

No wonder why the show is called Too Cute. It makes me want to...melt away.

"They're really adorable," I gawked.

That's when the front door open, having me to look who came in, thinking it was a robber. Only to my relief, it was Stine and Hannah, who has the package in her hands from outside.

"Hey, Slappy," Stine greeted, shutting the door behind him, placing the briefcase down near the wall.

"Hey...?" I greeted back with confusion. "You're...home early," I remarked, looking at the clock.

"I know, but the school had a gas leak so all of us had to come home early," he explained, getting my attention back to him. "Say," he observed the television, "what are ya watching there?"

"A show..." I mentioned under my breath, hoping he wouldn't laugh at me for watching something like this.

He chuckled at my answer, but not chuckling at me before speaking again. "I know you're watching a show, I wanted to know what the show is called."

Sighing, I crossed my legs together, answering his question in a rather soft, raspy voice I had always held inside me. "...Too Cute..."

"Too Cute?!" Hannah stopped midway from the steps, hurrying them back down them. "Did you say you're watching Too Cute?!" she squealed, placing the box the coffee table. "It's one of my favorite Animal Planet shows," she gleamed with happiness.

"...Really?" I responded, being odded out by her new behavior, seemingly to be new guy to see it for the first time. I was starting to get used to her not adjusting to me. I've never seen her like...this before.

"Oh, um." She cleared her throat, regaining her control. "I've seen this episode before," she clarified without hesitation, sending me a serious look, getting rid of the joyous one she had held.

I didn't respond when both our ears heard the sound of ringing, indirecting towards one of Stine's pockets.

"Your phone's ringing, dad," Hannah informed with an obvious statement.

I was about to tell her how dumb she was for telling him that, only for Stine to speak before me. "I see..." With a chuckle, he pulled his phone out from his right pocket, looking at it. His eyes widen, a smile spreading across his face, and he began walking out of the room. "Hello?" we both heard him answer. "Hi there, sweetheart!" I suddenly heard him say in a...lovable tone.

Sweetheart? Who in the world is he talking to? I went to go check it out when I felt a hand on my shoulder, having me force it away from me to realize it was Hannah, who is shaking her head, giving me one word. "No."

"No?" I withdrew. "What do you mean no?" I asked with an annoyed expression. Nobody ever told me no in my life; my entire life.

"Because," she gave out a short and submitted answer.

"Because...?" I wanted her to continue what she needs to say next. The only thing I got from her was silence between us. I guess she thought I don't need to know who Stine is talking to, leaving me more puzzled and curious.

Hannah opened her mouth to reply, but snapped it shut when Stine enter the room, the phone in his hand. Hannah spoke towards him.

"Who called?" It looked like she wanted to know, her attention at him, simply ignoring me.

"My...special someone," he answered with a funny smile on his face. Something was up with this man... "She called me, wanting me to come over to my house." He chuckled. "I was lucky for the school to let out early." He swept his hand over his slicked-back hair. "I just need to get change and I'll be off to her place." Turning around, Stine made his way upstairs, leaving me with Hannah who played with her hair.

The room filled with silence. The only sound I was hearing is the TV in front of me. The show wasn't on anymore, taking a commercial break, showing adds and whatever else the screen has on. The silence almost seemed to make me hear her breathing. Creepy… I decided to break the awkward moment.

"How are you?" I tried my best to be friendly as I asked her.

"...Fine." Her answer was short, her direction away from me. "Why'd you ask?" she responded with a dull tone, clearly not in the mood to speak to me.

"I don't know," I replied, looking down at my shoes, messing with my laces, fiddling with them. "What's in the package?" I asked, changing the subject.

Again, her answer was short. "Stuff." It seems like she...

"Alright, behave while I'm out," Stine said, cutting the stillness. "I'll be back in several hours," he told us.

"Okay, dad." Hannah grinned, giving her father a hug. "Have a nice day with your girlfriend," she wished happily after she pulled away. "I'll carry my stuff to my room." Picking up the box from the coffee table, she proceeded up the stairs to her room.

When she was gone, Stine turned to me. "I want you to be on your behavior. No causing trouble in this house," he strictly said.

I rolled my eyes in reply. "Please, Stine. I won't ever cause any trouble. I'm gonna sit here and wait for you to get back to where you're going to." My brows lowered. "Just who is this 'sweetheart' anyway?" I questioned suspiciously.

His face turned pale. "Uh..." His eyes darted around the room. "Oh, look at the time, I better get going," he quickly proclaimed. He started towards the door, stopped, and faced me. "I'll tell you who she is," he promised. Then added, "See you later." Grabbing the doorknob, he opened the door, walking out to his car, leaving me there in confusion and, in some sense, disappointed when he didn't give me a forward answer.

I sat there doing nothing, glancing at the TV every now and then. The show I've been watching got boring pretty quick, so I decided to see Hannah, wondering what she has in the box. Saying the word 'stuff' doesn't necessarily my question.

Lazily, I made my way up the steps with caution, fearing I'll slip or fall, all thanks to these damn marks on my face, making me feel like rubbish. Stine was right...I do need to get fixed up. However, I doubt he knows anybody who can fix me up.

At least he gave me permission on when I wanted to be repaired. I don't know when, though, but it could be early. Unless he got me fixed up before I even knew it.

Her bedroom door was closed when I reached her room. Picking up my fist, I gave it a few knocks. I want to try and be as nice as possible. I rather not give her a bad rap.

It took a minute for her to answer the door. "Yes?" she inquired, eyebrows slightly raised. "What do you want?" It didn't come off negative from what I was expecting. I was almost too scared to ask her what was in my head. She seemed to pick up on it, bringing the door a lot wider. "You wanna come in...?" she kinda nervously asked, almost like she was about to slam the door in front of me.

Shocked, I stepped into her room. "Thanks," I proceeded to say, my eyes wandering around the room. I don't think I ever say her entire room. "So..." I dug my toe into her carpet. "What was in the box?" I wanted to be nice by asking her simple questions.

"Things for my room," she answered. "I wanna...spice it up a bit." She gestured at her new items. "I may not be on the girly side, but I don't mind decorating my room," she said with a small smile.

"Uh huh," I returned uninterested. I made my way over to her window, placing my hands on the windowsill. "It's raining..." I announced simidily. Rain water hit the window pane, streaking down. I can hear the drops smacking the ground, making the grass wet and shiny, like a new, glass bowl.

"I saw the weather on my phone." This time, I was confused, having me turn my head, facing away from the window with one brow up, the other down. "I have a weather icon to show me what the weather is going to be," she explained.

"Uh huh," I repeated. I didn't care about the weather. All I care about is...myself. I know it sounds selfish, unable to not think the way I'm thinking, now with me out of the new book. "What is the new book titled called?" I wondered softly for Hannah not to eavesdrop me.

"Did you say something?" Guess I wasn't quiet enough... Damn. "What did you say?" Not answering her, all I did was shrugged my shoulders, analyzing the falling water. "Are you asking what the new book is called?" I didn't know what to say... feeling extremely embarrassed for her to hear what I had said. "You don't need to know what the book is called," she told me, taking an object out of the box. "Hmm..." she thought to herself. "Where should I put this vase?" She looked around. "I'll put it right..." She went over to an empty table. "Here." Setting the vase down, she made sure it was on the middle. She turned to me. "You like it?" she asked me, this time her voice filled with kindness.

"I'm not into decorating," I shared honestly, my mind trained on the rain, plastering onto the window. "And forget about what I said before," I added. "I don't need to know what the new book, the one where Stine trapped all the monsters, including you and me, is called. I rather find out for myself."

"You're not letting out any monsters from the new manuscript, are you?"

"Me? No, no, no. Of course not."

"Uh huh," Hannah merely mentioned skeptically to my words.

"Seriously, I'll never open any book ever again," I included, leaving her to study me, like I was something she wouldn't want to see. "Eh, heh, heh," I laughed nervously, noticing her disbelief hitting me back.

"Slappy, it's great to hear you say that, but at the same time... it's hard to believe you," she said truthfully. "It'll be even harder for Hazel to believe you, too," she also included into the conversation.

"Hazel?" I cringed at hearing her name. "Why bring her into this?" I rudely responded. "It'll be hard for me-" I pointed at myself "-to keep my promise."

"Like apologizing to her?" she answered with another question.

"Yeah," I nodded. "What happens when I do say sorry to her? Will she toss me into a bonfire like I tried doing to you?"

"Okay, first off she'll never throw you into a bonfire, and two, don't ever mentioned what happened in the new book we were trapped in. I don't want to think of what happened to me in the new manuscript." I quickly cast her a dirty look. "Oh!" she added. "And what those monsters done to you." I rolled my eyes as she scanned me from head to toe. "You do look bad..." She gave me a look of concern. "Are you sure you don't want to be fixed right now?" she asked with worry.

"Look, Hannah." I kept my voice calm. "Stine says I can get fixed whenever I want, okay?" I turned away from her, making my way to her bed. I grabbed the mattress, hoisting myself onto it. Or at least tried too. "Ow!" I ended up falling onto the floor. Before I tried again, I felt hands, gentle hands, go around my midsection. I would've reacted, but I decided not to.

No need for her to get mad at me... She set me on the bed, having my feet dangle at the edge of it. I only said one word and one word only. "...thanks." It wasn't a cruel way of saying it, but it seemed nice enough for her to give me a soft smile.

"You're welcome," she grinned in return. "I didn't want you to get frustrated, so... I decided to help you, despite you being a monster..." She trailed off, unable to finish.

"I know I'm a monster..." I sighed, controlling my voice, keeping it clear for her to understand me. "...and I might have a soft spot inside me... I just..." I took a deep breath, refusing to get teary-eyed.

"Just?" Hannah waited for me to continue.

I clenched my scared-up hands around the blankets, gritting my teeth together. "...need time," I experated.

"Time?" My head looked up to see a confused look on her face. "Why do you need time?"

"Time to think of the things I've done from the past," I muttered, feeling disgusted about myself, like I hated myself. "You know? For the things I've done. I'm a...dummy," I criticized.

Hannah blinked. "I thought you hate being called the D word."

"I do!" I half replied in an almost dead tone. "Right now I'm calling myself one. Besides..." I grumbled. "I made a mistake. A huge mistake."

"Like releasing the monsters into the real world and hurting my father and Hazel?" Hannah guessed. I nodded, picking at my trousers. "Everyone makes mistakes," she passionately told me. "I made a mistake when I opened up the Ghost Beach manuscript after dad created me about a minute or two ago. It was a time where I was a ghost before I can age." She flicked her hair behind her ear. "Everyone makes mistakes, Slappy. Mistakes happen all the time, and you cannot blame...well... you are to blame when you almost destroyed the town," she slightly said with edge.

"You're welcome," I couldn't help but to say back sarcastically, putting no meaning behind it.

Squinting her eyes at me, she tilted her head at me, unimpressed. "You don't need to speak to me like the way you're speaking now," she dulled out.

Again, I gave her a sarcastic answer. "Why? I'm a monster. I can speak this way, so too bad for you."

"Ugh." She let out a groan when we both heard a knock on the door. "I'll get it," she volunteered. She got up from the bed, heading down the steps to the front door, leaving me behind.

Typical.

I got off the bed, making my way to the front door. And the first thing I saw was him. The Zach kid. He was smiling sweetly at Hannah, who gave him the same grin while he just...played with her hair, having her let out a giggle.

"Would you like to come in?" Hannah stepped back and asked nicely. Why is she acting like that?

"Are you sure Stine can trust you to let a boy in the house without his supervision?" Zach chuckled humorously. This is weird and awkward to watch... "I don't want him to get ticked off for letting a stranger into the house," he spoke.

"You're not a stranger, Zach," she replied, wiping his shoulder like he had some dirt on it. "I'll call or text my dad. Come in," she then invited.

While I watched, he stepped into the house before turning his direction towards me. "Oh... It's you again." The way he said it made me narrow my brows right back at him. "I'm surprise Stine nor Hannah didn't turn you into firewood," he mentioned heartlessly.

"Zach!" Hannah scolded, lightly hitting his arm.

"What?" he questioned with a shrug of his shoulders.

Hannah didn't answer, pulling him into the dining room where I followed them, but stayed hidden, listening to every word I'm hearing.

Zach

I sat in my room on my bed, a book in my lap. No, it wasn't The Hobbit, in case you were wondering because I already read the chapters I needed to read for homework. The book I have with me is one of my favorites. It's a Goosebumps book titled Say Cheese And Die! Basically, it's my favorite one, and I have to admit, I read the books when I was a kid, but I stopped reading them when I was in middle school, about twelve years old.

But since the author of the books lives next door to me, I thought it wouldn't hurt to read one of them.

Of course, I was surprised they stayed in good condition; no tears or creese marks, after I hauled the large box into my bedroom. I don't have a bookcase or shelves. Mom has one, except it completely filled with her books.

I never told Hannah, Champ, nor Hazel about it. I guess I lost interest in these books ever since dad died, having me focus on other things, such as helping mom around the house which I still do.

Right now, I have the book set in my lap, closed, keeping my thumb on the page I was on. I felt like seeing Hannah. I can finish this book later.

Place the book down on my bed and hoping my mom doesn't know that I'm starting to read these books again, I made my way out of the room and down the steps.

Mom is out doing errands, giving me a chance to see my girlfriend. Not like I wasn't allowed to, but it wouldn't hurt to stop by at her place.

Going up to her home, Stine's car wasn't on the driveway. Maybe he went out to do errands too.

I went up to the front door, knocking on it. And when it was open, the first thing I saw was her beautiful appearance, having me make a large smile.

We didn't say hi or anything since we both locked eyes right at each other, but we knew what we were thinking.

Hannah released a giggle when I messed with her hair, picking it up and letting it fall back down. I actually like girls with long hair. Especially when it's soft after when it's showered, like hers, invading my nose with a sweet smell of watermelon shampoo.

She took a step back from me, letting me stop fooling around with her dark, brown hair. "Would you like to come in?" She gave me an inviting grin.

I chuckled in a humorous way. "Are you sure Stine can trust you to let a boy in the house without his supervision? I don't want him to get ticked off for letting a stranger into the house."

"You're not a stranger, Zach," Hannah told me, wiping my shoulder with her hand, like she was smoothing the part of my shirt. "I'll call or text my dad. Come in," she repeated her invitation.

Stepping into the house, I didn't miss the dummy standing there. "Oh... It's you again," I spoke unkindly, getting a return of narrow eyes from him."I'm surprise Stine nor Hannah didn't turn you into firewood," I graveled before getting a light hit on my arm.

"Zach!" she exclaimed.

I answered her with a shrug. "What?" I was then taken into the dining room. "What is it?" I asked once she let go of my wrist.

"Can you please stop being negative around him?" Hannah replied. "I know it's hard to believe but he can change."

"Yeah... right," I rolled my eyes in disbelief. "I bet he's gonna open more Goosebumps books," I said. I wasn't sure if my theory would come true or not, but knowing Slappy, he's always up to no good. "I remember what he did to my aunt, and it wasn't all-that nice." I crossed my arms, recalling the memories of what my aunt told me at what happened in the police station. "I can't believe you guys can trust him," I muttered bitterally.

My attitude quickly changed when I felt a peck on my right cheek, having both cheeks bloom in a pink color of circles. "Heh..." was all I can say.

"Zach, listen." She placed a hand on me, looking deeply at me with her blue-colored eyes. "I know you and Champ don't believe he can change, but... you have to give him a second chance..."

I pulled away from her in a gentle manner. "He tried to kill you in the lastest manuscript with a bonfire!" I reminded her.

"I don't want to argue with you!" she raised her voice at me.

"Who says we're arguing?" I too, raised my voice. "I don't him to stab you in the back at night while you're asleep in bed," I reasoned.

"It'll never happen," she now lowered her voice in case the evil thing is listening to us. "Maybe you can, oh I don't know, hang out with him this weekend?" she simply suggested.

"Nope," I shook my head and declined. "I'm sorry, Hannah, I don't trust him." I rubbed the back of my neck. "And what about Hazel?" I brought up into the conversation. "What would she think when she discovers him out of the brand new manuscript?"

"Dad's gonna explain it to her. Maybe she can hang out with him…" she thought out loud. "I know, how about we play a board game?"

I squinted my eyes. "A board game...?" I sighed. "I dunno..." I hesitated. "Is Slappy a gamer?"

"Only one way to find out." Taking my hand, she pulled me right out of the dining room.

And I have this thought in my head. But I kept it to myself, not wanting to upset her. I can't believe I'm gonna play a board game with her and the stupid evil dummy.

When we got out of the dining room, Hannah went to get Slappy. I sat down on the couch, hearing him call out his name. "Slappy. Slappy, do you want to play a board game?" I rolled my eyes when she asked him. What kind of evil thing likes to play board games? "Slappy?" she called out again from upstairs. "Yo, where are you Slappy?" Then I heard her climb down the steps. "Zach, he's not in any room upstairs," she reported, brushing back her hair with one hand.

"Good," I answered, tapping the arm of my couch.

She didn't like the way I was acting towards him. "Zach..." Giving me a frown, she looked down at the floor. "Give him a chance?" she began to beg. "Okay?" she asked. "For me?" Picking her head up, she now gave me a look. A look I couldn't resist. She was giving me the puppy face. Never in my life I would see something like that on her because she never sent me that look ever since we started dating until now.

No matter how much I tried to keep my 'cool', I broke into a smile. "Alright, I'll help you look for him," I gave in with a light chuckle.

We searched around the house, checking every hiding spots such as closets and cabinets he can fit into since he's very short.

Makes me want to use him as a baseball bat.

I stopped from the upstairs hallway, seeing a rope dangling above me. Knowing Slappy, he won't be able to reach it unless he used his teleportation skills to get inside the attic.

Reaching up for the rope, I grabbed it, pulling the door open until it was all the way down. There was a hook hanging as well, indicating me it wasn't locked up, making it easier for me to open it.

A ladder covered half in rust wasn't too high where I can reach it. So I grabbed it, giving it a good tug, having it come down in front of me.

I grabbed onto the metal bars, making my way up to the attic.

The room was filled with boxes covered in lots of dust when I reached the top, having me step into the room. There was a lightbulb hanging at the center of the ceiling with a chain next to it. I grabbed the chain, pulling it. The light wasn't very bright, but luckily it was still daylight from outside, the sun pouring into the window.

I looked around, but I didn't want to be a snoop, so I decided to return to the second floor.

By the time my feet touched the floor, I hoisted the ladder up before closing the door which wasn't easy to do. It was easy to open the door, but it wasn't easy to close it since it only has a rope attached to it, so pushed it shut instead. I didn't lock it up in case Slappy is up there without me realizing it.

I swept my hand over my short hair when Hannah came up to me. "Any luck?" I asked her. "I checked the attic and he's not there," I told her, pointing at the room. "It was easy to open the door, except when you have to close it." I chuckled.

Hannah chuckled too. "Me and my dad have trouble closing it, too," she told me. "Luckily both the rope and door aren't too high for us to reach. Maybe he's down in the basement...?"

"Could be," I nodded in agreement. "Or he could've ran onto the road to get run over by a large truck," I added somewhat humorously.

Hannah didn't find it very funny. "Let's check the basement. And let's hope dad put away the bear traps," she hoped.

"If he didn't, I'll run back upstairs." When I said that, Hannah burst out laughing. "What?" I gave her a confused look.

"Nothing." She shook her head. "Nothing at all. Come on." Leading me to the basement, we both stopped when we heard... crying...

"Is that..." I wanted to ask, but my voice trailed off.

"Yes, I was surprised too," she answered my unfinished question. Before she can say anything else, we then heard a breaking voice from him.

"I don't think I'll ever change," his voice came through the door. "How can I change when nobody else can trust me. What would happen to me when I..." There was a long pause, with me and her waiting for what he had to say. "I don't know what'll happen to me. Stine said I can change, but how do I without causing havoc? And Hannah said she'll give me a second chance but... I don't believe her!" His volume began to increase. "I've been lied to before, so I bet she's lying to me!" he yelled from down in the basement. "Maybe I should rot upstairs in the place above the second floor, but thanks to my height, I can't reach the damn rope! Not even a frickin' chair can help me!" He tried getting into the attic? I wanted to ask Hannah, only I didn't want to, so we both continued to listen. I even open a door with a slight jar, and we both saw him at the right side of steps, the light barely giving off the creepy room. We both held our breaths for him not to see us. "And I don't care what's in the mystery room as long as my body keeps breaking- Actually, I want to hurt myself more! My stupid for nothing friends gave me a headstart, so why not keep going! Or I should run out onto the street and...get myself killed!" Hearing this, I couldn't help but to think of what he was throwing out. He is talking about suicide...? I open the door even father with my girlfriend by my side, wanting to hear more. "That's what I wanted to do! I want to KILL MYSELF!" All of a sudden, he grabbed something, tossing it hard in my direction.

I didn't have time to react when the object came flying towards me. I didn't have time to see it clearly enough to know what it is. I assumed it was one of the bear traps. I wasn't too sure; the object hit me right on the forehead. "Ow!"

"Zach!" Quickly, she pulled me away from the door, taking me upstairs to her bedroom with my hand on my forehead. "Sit down and wait right here," Hannah instructed me.

When she left the room, I took my hand away from my forehead. It only had a small drop of blood on it. I'm guessing the object, whatever it is, cut me. But man did that hurt like hell.

"I'm back." Hannah came into the room with a first aid kit and sat down next to me. "Look here." I did as I was told. "Hmm..."

"Is my face messed up?" I couldn't help but ask with worry.

"No," she answered with a smile. "Your face is fine. Although..."

"What?" I asked. "Although what?"

"It's the same area where you cut yourself last time. It just needs a band-aid." Opening up the first aid kit, she took out one of the bandages. She unpeeled it, placing the sticky item on my cut. "There all finished." Hannah shut the box when she noticed me looking at her. "What?" she said.

"You have such beautiful eyes," I spoke with a lovable smile.

Hannah can only return a blush. "So do you..." The pink circles grew brighter on her cheeks.

"Um..." we then both heard a voice. We turned our heads towards the door, seeing Slappy with raised brows.

Oh boy, was all I can think of.

Slappy

I opened my wooden ears, listening to those humans, wanting to know what they're going to say.

"Can you please stop being negative around him?" I heard Hannah ask. "I know it's hard to believe but he can change." I can agree with her. I can't believe in myself for me to able to change my ways.

"Yeah... right," I heard Zach disbelieved. "I bet he's gonna open more Goosebumps books. I remember what he did to my aunt, and it wasn't all-that nice." His aunt? "I can't believe you guys can trust him." Then there was light laugh. "Heh..."

"Zach, listen." I pear around the corner to see her looking at him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I know you and Champ don't believe he can change, but… you have to give him a second chance..."

He gently pushed her away, sending her reminding words. "He tried to kill you in the lastest manuscript with a bonfire!" He's right about that... I continued to eavesdrop on them.

"I don't want to argue with you!" Hannah began to yell.

"Who says we're arguing? I don't him to stab you in the back at night while you're asleep in bed," he explained, raising his voice too.

I felt hurt when he mentioned those words. I slowly backed away from my hiding place, refusing to hear anymore. I feel like hiding in the mystery room, but I remember the rope was too high for me to reach. I didn't want to hide in any bedroom, so my only option is to find a different room, and not the mystery room.

I walked away from the scene, discovering a door.

Where does this lead to? I wondered to myself. I pressed my hands on the door, hoping it wasn't locked.

The door open revealing a room. I think this a basement. I seen one back in Chicago at Stine's old house, except he told me I wasn't allowed down there. Probably from all the dust and he didn't want me to get dusty or dirty, something I can't blame him for.

But Stine isn't here, so I decided to go down the steps as quietly as I can after I shut the door for no one to come in and bother me. I had to hold onto the railing since the steps are a bit high and I don't want to fall down.

When I got to the bottom of the steps, I sat at the left side of the room right near the staircase. There wasn't a lot of light in the room, so it made it easier for me to hide.

"I don't think I'll ever change," I began talking to myself. "How can I change when nobody else can trust me. What would happen to me when I…" I paused for a moment. "I don't know what'll happen to me. Stine said I can change, but how do I without causing havoc? And Hannah said she'll give me a second chance but… I don't believe her!" I yelled out, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. "I've been lied to before, so I bet she's lying to me! Maybe I should rot upstairs in the place above the second floor, but thanks to my height, I can't reach the damn rope! Not even a frickin' chair can help me! "And I don't care what's in the mystery room as long as my body keeps breaking- Actually, I want to hurt myself more!" I decided. "My stupid for nothing friends gave me a headstart, so why not keep going! Or I should run out onto the street and...get myself killed!" The tears stream down my face now. "That's what I wanted to do! I want to KILL MYSELF!" I grabbed something and, with a hard throw, I toss whatever I grabbed away from me in pure anger.

"Ow!" I suddenly heard a voice cry out in pain.

"Zach!" came along Hannah's voice. I heard their footsteps leaving the doorway.

"Were those brats spying on me?" I spitted, cleaning my eyes and face, getting rid of the tears. I got up, using my powers to get to the top of the basement steps. "Yep, those kids spied on me," I discovered, seeing the door open a slight jar. "Kids these days..." I shut the door behind me, walking away from it, heading to the other staircase to make my way upstairs to tell them not to spy on me.

"Sit down and wait right here." By the time I reached the top of the steps, Hannah jogged towards the bathroom before heading out of there with a white box with a red plus on it. "I'm back." She had returned to her bedroom. I walked over there, standing at the doorway, but she nor the other kid paid any attention to me. "Look here," Hannah spoke. "Hmm..." She studied him.

It was then when he asked her something. "Is my face messed up?"

It should be, I thought. Your face reminds me of a wart I got rid of last week. I didn't dare speak the insult out loud to him.

Hannah shook her head and answered. " face is fine. Although..."

"What? Although what?" He waited for her to finish on what she wanted to say.

Tell him his face is so ugly, you don't want to be around him anymore. I sent a message to her, but she said something else instead.

"It's the same area where you cut yourself last time. It just needs a band-aid," she told him, opening up the small box, she took something out. Unpeeling it, she placed whatever it was onto Zach's forehead. "There all finished," she announced, closing up the box. She looked up to see him looking right back at her. "What?" she then asked.

"You have such beautiful eyes," he suppressed in a behavior I had never seen before, along with a strange smile.

Hannah's face turned bright pink. "So do you..." she returned.

"Um..." I couldn't help it, the word slipped out of me. They both turned to me, almost stunned to see me standing there. "Why are you two acting strange...?" I asked.

"U-Uh...um..." Hannah stuttered. "We're-"

"It's none of your business," Zach cut in.

I flinched. "O...kay. I just wanted to ask-"

"None of your business," he repeated rudely.

"Zach." Hannah lightly smacked him on the shoulder. "Enough. Let's all play some board games," she suggested. "How about a game of Clue?"

Me and Zach thought about it. We both knew what she wanted us to get along, but it turns out Zach didn't want to say no. "Alright." Hannah beamed and turned her head towards me.

"How about you, Slappy? Do you want to play Clue?"

"I never played 'Clue'," I told her admittedly.

"It's because you were trapped inside a book for you not to know how to play," Zach answered for Hannah.

She ignored that. "I'll tell you the rules. Come on, you two go downstairs into the dining room and I'll grab the game. I'll be with you in a sec." She waved her hands in a shooing motion. "Go on; go downstairs and wait for me. And don't destroy my dad's stuff," she added.

Me and this kid didn't say anything as we walked out of her room into the living room. Zach sat down on the couch while I sat away from him, doing my best to ignore his harsh glare.

"You know, if you lay a finger on her, I will turn you into firewood," he spoke harshly.

"Mm," I responded, not affected by his choice of words.

I began to feel the soft spot fade away from me a little. This is going to be fun.