The ghost train rattled and rumbled as a hooded stranger carried a wailing baby in her arms. Everything was dark, soothing the senses but overwhelming how the little one viewed darkness. This story happens to be her's. Well, mine. I'm that baby. I wasn't given a name yet, but after birth my mother experienced an abusive relationship with her drunk husband and decided to leave me at a place where I can be at one with a different family. She tried every orphanage, but sadly, they were all sold out. So there was only one choice: to board the ghost train. However, this was no ordinary ghost train. This was the train that led to Scream Street, a peaceful place where dogs and monsters live in harmony.
3,000 years ago, scientists experimented on a doberman pinscher and turned him from a pampered pooch to a human-like monster to help fight off Count Dracula. Spear in paw, he charged towards his castle as lightning flashed above in the dark sky. However, just as the dog, named Jawtooth, was about to pounce onto him and use his spear to dig through his heart, Dracula stopped him and invited him in for a cup of tea. At once, he developed a softer attitude, and he became his sort of pet-roommate. All the other monsters in Transylvania at first protested against this relationship, but then realised that they can make a safe haven locked away from the world, a place where dogs and monsters can find their inner sanctum. That way, G.H.O.U.L was formed and Scream Street was built. It was about to be my new home.
At last, there was a screech and the ghost train stopped in a dense forest. The woman stepped out clutching me and ran across the forest as it rained heavily all around her. My cries got louder and louder and my mother kept telling me, "It's okay, sssshhhhh-ssssshhhhh." Out of the forest she went, and into the empty streets of Scream Street. She looked around at the dark street, complete with lamps lighting up the whole street. She looked around and raced across the pavement, every house a blur as she ran past, until she stopped outside a beautiful house. It was a huge white house, fit for a family. A lovely garden surrounded it. On the gate was a sign labelled: "Beware the werewolf". The woman gulped and stepped towards the gate. She opened it, and it gave a loud creak. She ran down the path and left me by the door, then knocked and ran down the streets, all the way back into the forest to board the ghost train back home.
The door opened, and looking down upon me was an orange dog, a motherly figure who stared down at me. My cries grew softer as the dog looked down upon me, smiling charmingly. "Finally," she said, "All this time I wanted another child to accompany my Bluey. Now, my dear, my wish has come true." The dog took hold of me and cradled me in her furry arms, my blanket that was wrapped around me all wet with rain. "There now, mummy's here. Come on now, let me introduce you to the rest of the family." I was carried into a warmly lit living room with a crowd of people - dogs and monsters - gathered round chatting and laughing. Bandit, Chilli's husband, was bouncing his baby daughter Bluey on his knee. Aunt Trixie was trying hard to comfort her baby daughter Muffin, who was screaming loudly. However, a three year old Frankenstein's monster, Six, cradled her in her gentle arms, calming her. Chilli came into the living room holding me, and everyone was delighted to see her.
"Who answered the door, sweetie?" asked Bandit. "No one, honestly." The blanket fell off, revealing my cute little face. Everyone in the room gasped, and three of the monster children came to examine me. "Who's that?" asked Cleo. "She looks so small, can I pet her?" asked Resus. "Is she…your baby?" asked Luke. "She belongs to someone else. We're going to take good care of her. I suspect she hasn't had a bite to eat all day. Here. You hold her." Chilli handed me to my new big brother. He gazed into my little eyes, and I gently reached out and smiled. Luke was heartwarmed and hugged me. "There you are, Luke, you've taken to this new arrival already," said his father, Mike. Luke and I nose-kissed and hugged like we were becoming siblings immediately. Everyone gathered round to look at me. Cooing and laughter filled the air as each of us took turns to hold me. I never felt this much love before. This was my new family. They were already starting to love me. They had accepted me in already.
However, this wasn't to last, because the door burst open and in walked an ugly, stout normal wearing a rough brown overcoat and a gold chain round his neck. His large face had pimples all over, and there were little strands of hair on his head. Accompanying him was a shy little boy, a shapeshifter called Dixon, who was standing behind his uncle picking his nose. Next to him was a young boy without a face, wearing a jumpsuit and trying to wave at us like he was a close friend. His name was No Name. Lightning flashed, illuminating the mayor's fierce shadow. "A-ha, a new baby in the family. Is she a dog or a monster?" he asked. "Oh, er, Otto! She's…she's, er….well….okay, look." mumbled Chilli, and she showed my dear sweet face to the evil mayor. He smiled menacingly, showing rows of ugly, crooked teeth. "So I see. She isn't a puppy, or a monster. She's a normal!" "A normal?!" yelled the monster kids. "You don't understand, she's MY baby, she was left here tonight!" "Well, no chance of looking after this one, she'll be banished to the Underlands in the morning." "No, she needs me, her mother abandoned her!" Otto growled. "You will do as I say." he said in a low voice. Suddenly, Dixon came up and tugged on his uncle's coat. "Uncle Otto, you should tell her that she needs to keep the baby. She is part of the family." he said.
Everything was quiet as Otto breathed in heavily, the scent of his unbrushed breath filling my nose. "Now, is she alone?" "Yes, her mother left her, I'm honest." "She's no Foundling, this isn't Victorian times. I never should've said what I mentioned about the Underlands. You may keep this horrible excuse for a normal child." Chilli growled like a real dog. "Oh!" Otto gave a nervous smile. "I mean, er…your precious, bouncing baby boy." "You did it, Otto!" cheered Dixon, jumping up and down. Otto went out the front door, giving one last look back at the family. "She won't be any trouble," whispered Chilli as he left with Dixon and No Name by his side. Once Otto had left, Chilli sat down as the family gathered round me, continuing cooing over how cute I was. "We have to think of a name for her." said Chilli. "I decide the name because I'm the head of this family." "So…what are you going to call her?"asked a shy young witch called Luella. "I'm going to call her, Violet." Everyone agreed warmly to such a name. Violet. That was the name for me. The name stuck like glue, and soon everyone wanted a turn at cuddling me. I was the cuddliest baby in the family, but Luke scoffed at that sometimes because he wanted to be the cuddliest out of all the kids in the family too.
Years passed, and I grew up with my new, loving family. I would like to introduce you to them, one by one. First, there's Luke. He's my older brother, and he's still as cuddly as ever. He's also a werewolf, but when he gets angry he transforms into a scary werewolf with black and purple eyes, but he doesn't when he's around the family, especially when he's playing with me and the little kids. Whenever I felt sad, Luke was there to give me a comforting cuddle in times of desperation. Luke was the slacker of the family along with my other older brother Resus - they would spend their time playing video games or lounging about on the sofa reading comics and having an extra snack after lunch. She often tells me, "Don't tell Mum I did this." Luke was a prankster, and sometimes sneaked up on me to tickle me. I enjoyed it when he unexpectedly tickled me, he felt like a truly playful brother too.
Next there's Resus. He's supposed to be a vampire, but due to a genetic quirk he was a normal boy. His hair was dyed black, he wears clip on fangs and has pale, sensitive skin. Resus felt like a little brother to Luke, and sometimes he was a wimp. He got a bit scared whenever someone like Luke played with a plastic spider, or when a clockwork mouse chased by Socks swivelled by on the floor. Resus was still gentle and brave, and we often kneeled on the sofa and nose-kissed each other. He also had a magic cloak that produced anything that can help us, but sometimes it produces the wrong things - ask for a sword, and you might get a rubber duck. He often gets chased by the little kids, who desperately want to play, and sometimes little Muffin would tug on his cloak, demanding he'd play horsey ride. All the family, especially his vampire parents Alston and Bella, appreciated who he was, and there was a rule in this family that anyone who's different is sure to be accepted, including Resus.