Disclaimers: I don't own all the characters in this chapter (excluding Delilah, Christina, and Nathan)

Narrator: Geronimo Stilton and his family have been on countless adventures throughout their lives, with a lot of them often giving them the scoops needed to keep the Rodent's Gazette, a business founded by Geronimo's grandfather, now run by Geronimo himself, running. But in spite of being around the world and visiting many places as well as meeting many different people, there are still things that Geronimo and his family have yet to uncover, some of which may go even deeper than even they thought possible.

[In a dark and foggy forest devoid of life, a mouse was making his way through. The mouse in question had orange fur, had a plump physique, was wearing a light-green, short-sleeved, button-down shirt with palm tree patterns on it and blue pants, this was Trap Stilton, cousin of Geronimo, a notorious jokester and prankster, who often pranks his cousin. Trap was running down a path in terror trying to escape whatever is pursuing him as it was snarling as if nearby. Trap suddenly stopped running, panicking at where he should go, without a second doubt he went behind a nearby tree to hide from his pursuer]

Trap: (panting)

[The creature in question began looking around with its piercing red eyes looking for Trap]

Monster: (growls)

[The monster looked in the direction of the tree Trap was hiding behind. Realizing the monster found him, Trap made a run for it, dodging branches, jumping roots, but he moved too fast to process what was happening and before he knew it he tripped and fell to the ground. He turned around to see that, much to his horror, the monster had finally caught up, rolling onto his back and trying to scoot away in a vain attempt to get away, suddenly without warning the monster pounced on him and everything went back]

Trap: (screams)

[Trap woke up in his bed, screaming his head off, this also caused his cousins, Geronimo and Thea to jump out of their beds, same with Benjamin who was sleeping a separate room, now woken up from his nightmare Trap, who was wearing onesie pajamas that were sky blue with cloud patterns and zipper on the front turned on a light. Geronimo approached Trap, rubbing his eyes, still clearly tired, he was wearing pale blue pajamas with darker blue vertical stripes with a sky-blue shirt underneath]

Geronimo: Alright Trap, who was it this time?

Trap: (stuttering) It was MouseWolfMan.

Geronimo: *snaps his finger* Oh shoot.

[Thea, who was wearing a pink tank top showing her belly and simple lavender pajama shorts, opened up her drawer with an annoyed look on her face and pulled out a clipboard with a paper and pencil attached to it, on the paper were pics of various creatures were on there, the one on top was Frankenmouse's Monster with a total of nine tally's on the side, below it was a mummy with six tally's on the side, below that was MouseWolfMan with over 25 tally's, and finally was a picture of the sea mouse monster which had only 4 tally's, Thea took her pencil and added another mark to the MouseWolfMan]

Thea: Why am I not surprised? Well big bro, just two more MouseWolfMan nightmares and you owe me a new biker jacket.

Geronimo: (yawns) Good for you. Now can we please go back to sleep?

Thea: You read my mind.

[Thea puts the clipboard back in her drawer and turns off the light but then Trap quickly turns it back on]

Trap: Wait a minute, Cuzes. Let's stay up a bit and… play a game.

Thea: Trap… it's late.

[Thea tries to turn the light off but Trap quickly turns it back on, not even bothering to hide his fear]

Trap: Okay, I confess. I am freaking out! It's because of our new neighbor!

Geronimo: Miss Wellington?

Trap: Yes! Her dog was howling again, it always spooks me!

[Suddenly the lights to their room turned on and they all looked to see a young mouse with orange fur, and was wearing green pajamas with thin light green horizontal stripes. He was staring at Trap with black circles around his eyes]

Benjamin: Are you sure it isn't all the monster movies you've been watching late at night for the last several weeks, Trap?

Trap: Uh Ben? Have you talked to someone about your…(whisper) insomnia?

Benjamin: Trap, I'm serious. This is becoming a problem.

Geronimo: Benjamin's right, Trap. But we'll talk about it later. Now let's get back to bed, we all have a big day in the morning.

Thea: Need me to help you get back to your room, Ben?

Benjamin: No thanks, Aunt Thea. I…can manage…

[Benjamin was about to tumble but Thea caught him]

Thea: I must insist. I'll be back guys.

[Thea grabs Benjamin and turns off the light to the room before she takes Benjamin back to his room, Geronimo shuffles back to his bed ready to sleep]

Trap: How am I ever going to get back to sleep now?

[Geronimo starts playing some relaxing music]

Geronimo: Here, these tunes should help Trap.

Trap: Oh, come on, Cuz. You really think that is going to-

[Without warning Trap feel back to sleep]

Geronimo: Works every time.

[Geronimo gets back into his bed and quickly falls asleep, just as Thea returned from bringing Benjamin back to bed, she saw her brother and cousin fast asleep, her ear lifted up when she heard the music coming from Geronimo's radio, she rolled her eyes realizing what had happened]

Thea: Of course.

[Thea goes over and turns off the radio, but before she can head to her bed, she tucks Geronimo in and pats his side, Thea takes a stretch and then heads back to her bed to rest up. But Trap suddenly woke up startled by some howling outside. Morning eventually came and the Stilton's were in the kitchen eating their breakfast. Thea was wearing a pink shirt black jacket and purple pants, Geronimo was wearing a green jacket, matching pants, a pale green undershirt, a spring green vest and red tie tucked behind it, Benjamin was wearing a red shirt with short sleeves and a pastel red stripe running horizontal across the stomach and the sleeves, underneath the shirt was a beige long sleeved undershirt, and blue pants. Thea notices that Trap was struggling to keep awake and shakes his shoulder]

Thea: Wake up, Trap. So, got any unanimous tips for a good scoop lately, big bro?

Geronimo: I wish. Things have been too quiet lately, even the Daily Rat.

Benjamin: I'm sure something will come up, Uncle G. You're the best reporter in New Mouse City, no, in the whole world.

Geronimo: Thanks Benjamin, you really know how to lift one's spirit.

Thea: He sure does. *Looks at the clock* Oh, look at the time. We got to go. I made us all lunch, so be sure to grab them before you go.

[Everyone gets up to grab their lunch, Benjamin grabs his lunch which was wrapped up in a red bag, Trap grabs his lunch which was in a blue bag but then looks at Thea]

Trap: There aren't any pickles, right Thea?

Thea: Don't worry, Trap. There's no pickles.

[Geronimo grabs his lunch in the green back and looks at his sister]

Geronimo: Please tell me you made something that came with cheese.

Thea: Of course, my beloved cheese monster. Now let's go.

[The grownups were about to head to their vehicles]

Geronimo: Now Benjamin, are you sure you don't need either me or your aunt to give you a ride to school?

Benjamin: Nah, it's all good Uncle G. Pandora's aunt said she would give me a ride.

Geronimo: P-Petunia's coming to get you?

Benjamin: Of course. It's no big deal, is it?

Geronimo: N-no. O-of course not.

Benjamin: Cool. *Sees her car coming* Ah there she is.

[A cyan car pulled up in front of the Stilton Residence and inside it were an adult female mouse with light yellow fur, blond hair in a pony tail wearing a pink shirt and blue jeans, this was Petunia while in the back seat was her niece Pandora who had dark fur and black curly wearing a purple baseball cap backwards, a yellow-green jumper with a pink shirt underneath, a denim miniskirt over stripy purple tights, Benjamin got into the backseat with Pandora and before Petunia drove off she looked at Geronimo and waved at him, he sheepishly waved back, Petunia then turned her attention to the road and drove the kids to school as Geronimo blew a sigh of relief]

Geronimo: Whew, no matter how many times I see her, I can never get over how pretty she is.

Thea: Well, you'll get to see more of her later today, she texted me earlier saying that she and her brother Wolfgang will be working with us for a while.

Geronimo: Come again?

Thea: That's right. We'll be working alongside the Paw Twins.

Geronimo: Oh wow.

[Geronimo stumbled to his car while Trap got to the other side about to enter the passenger side of the car but not before looking at the house next door]

Trap: I swear there is something creepy about Miss Wellington.

Thea: Oh, I'm sure the feeling is mutual when it comes to how she thinks about you.

[Trap gave Thea a dirty look which she didn't bother to notice as she got on her bike and drove off]

Geronimo: Come on, Trap! We're going to be late for work!

Trap: Alright, alright I'm coming!

[Trap gets into the passenger seat of his cousin's car, Geronimo drives and stops in front of the Thrift Store, Cheap Junk for Less. Traps gets out of the car and was about to head in but not before looking back at Geronimo]

Geronimo: Make sure you come by the Gazette after lunch.

Trap: Don't worry Cuz, I won't keep you waiting.

Geronimo: You better not.

[Geronimo drives off to work while Trap unlocks the door to his thrift store and flips the sign from closed to open. A little bit later and Geronimo arrives at the Rodent Gazette and was about to head in when he noticed a very eccentric looking squirrel with light brown fur, gray eyes, raven black hair and wearing what looked like a dark blue one-piece dress]

Strange Female: Hello Mr. Stilton.

Geronimo: Uh hello, ma'am. Can I help you?

Strange Female: As a matter of fact, I think you can, I am Delilah Brooks and I wish to have an interview with you, if you don't mind.

Geronimo: Not at all. I hope you have something that might be worth sharing with the city.

Delilah: Oh, you'll find this interesting, if not hard to believe, but I am certain after some persuasion you'll be convinced.

Geronimo: We'll just have to see. Come on in.

Delilah: Don't mind if I do.

[She entered the building alongside Geronimo]

Geronimo: I need you to wait here in the lobby for a bit, I'm having two other mice coming to assist me today, in fact I've been told they'll be helping me quite a bit for a while. So, I must ask for your patience and cooperation.

Delilah: Why of course, Mr. Stilton. After all, you're a mouse with a very impressive reputation.

Geronimo: Oh stop. Well, if you need anything don't be afraid to ask my assistant Mousella Macmouser to aid you.

Delilah: I'll be sure to do that if the need should arise.

Geronimo: Excellent, now I won't be long.

[Geronimo goes to prepare things while he leaves Lenore alone in the lobby who suddenly looks out the window of the lobby with a serious look on her face]

Delilah: I know you're out there, and when I find you, I'll end you.

[Back in Geronimo's office he was finishing things and then he turned on the speaker on his desk]

Geronimo: Mousella, send in Ms. Brooks.

Mousella: Of course, Mr. Stilton.

[A few minutes later Delilah came in]

Delilah: Thank you for sharing a moment of your time with me, Mr. Stilton.

Geronimo: Of course, Ms. Brooks. Now you said you had a scoop that would interest me.

Delilah: I did. But knowing your rep, you would be extremely skeptical.

Geronimo: Well, tell me what it is.

Delilah: Let me ask you, do you believe in the supernatural?

Geronimo: I don't, anytime I ever covered anything that involved that stuff, I later find out that they are all one big scheme used to enact some devious plan.

Delilah: Figures that would be your answer. But I have learned there are more things in heaven and earth, than are dreamt of in our philosophy.

Geronimo: Oh, come on now. I'm sure there is a logical explanation for all of it.

Delilah: Not this time, Mr. Stilton. There are monsters out there in the world, and I'm not talking about kidnappers, smugglers, and whatever kind of criminals. I'm talking about creatures that are not what you find in the animal kingdom, but what you hear in old stories, and they are real.

Geronimo: That's just silly.

Delilah: Lots of skeptics say that, but most of them are proven wrong, and I think if you manage to keep on your toes and watch your back, you may be one of the few that will live to tell the tale.

Geronimo: What is that supposed to mean? Are you trying to say all those former skeptics have accepted that there are things that can't be explained but not all of them have lived?

Delilah: That's right. And I fear despite your strong sense of skepticism you could pose a threat to the monsters lurking in your very city.

Geronimo: What kind of monsters?

Delilah: Weremice. And the one in charge sees you as a potential obstacle that could blow the lid on centuries of secrecy.

Geronimo: I don't know if I should be flattered or concerned, but I mostly feel like I'm being played. I'll have you know Ms. Brooks I am not someone you should try and pull the wool over my eyes, I get enough pranks from my cousin, Trap.

Delilah: Oh, you'll see. And when you finally see that I was right, I'll be back. Farewell, Mr. Stilton.

[Delilah leaves the office leaving Geronimo confused]

Geronimo: What a strange squirrel. *Com buzz* Yes, Mousella?

Mousella: The Paw Twins are here to see you, Mr. Stilton.

Geronimo: Ah, just in time. Send them in.

[Minutes later the twins came in]

Wolfgang: Greeting Geronimo, hope you had a good morning so far.

Geronimo: Well, I certainly had an interesting one.

Wolfgang: Why do you say that?

Geronimo: I'll tell you later. So, what do you all have to tell me?

Petunia: Well, a very interesting rabbit named Lenore Hopper has come to New Mouse City and has opened a museum based on the horror genre.

Geronimo: Really? So, this woman is wanting to present the history of the horror genre?

Petunia: Not just a history of horror genre, but something more, and I think you should give a look.

Geronimo: Alright, where is this place located?

Wolfgang: You know that old movie theater that was shut down and condemned?

Geronimo: Yeah...wait, they never demolished it?

Petunia: Oh, it was demolished alright. And a brand-new building was built in its place, they even put in two extra floors.

Geronimo: Must be a lot to cover.

Wolfgang: You could say that, but that's why we're here. To give you a helping paw.

Geronimo: Alright, what do we got to lose? Let's go, but let's try and keep Trap out of the loop on this one.

Wolfgang: Let me guess... monster movies again?

Geronimo: You guessed it...ever since he developed a taste for them, he has become obsessed, monster figures, books on monsters, what's next he is going to be given the role of a monster?

[Suddenly he hears his phone ringing]

Petunia: Wonder who that could be.

[Geronimo answers the phone]

Geronimo: Rodent's Gazette, Geronimo speaking.

Trap's Voice: Hey Cuz, you're never going to guess what just happened!

Geronimo: Lemme guess...your thrift store got another new funny gag that you want to show me?

Trap's Voice: Not this time! I actually have been given a role in an upcoming horror movie, "The Beast of Cheesy Hollow" and I've been given the part of the monster!

Geronimo: Oh goody... so, when is filming going to start?

Trap's Voice: Oh, the filming won't be for another 5 months, which gives us plenty of time to rehearse. You gotta come down here and check it out!

Geronimo: (sighs) Alright, I'll be there soon.

[Geronimo hangs up the phone]

Petunia: Looks like Trap is going to be in the movies after all.

Wolfgang: Well, we better get to that museum.

[The three rodents make their way to the new museum, upon arriving they find that the building is much more gothic in design]

Geronimo: Looks like something Creepella von Cacklefur would design.

Female Voice: Nope, this is all my doing.

[Geronimo looks out the side of his car window and he was greeted by what looked like a rabbit with brown fur, piercing blue eyes and wearing what looks like an eccentric director's clothing]

Geronimo: (yelps)

Female Rabbit: Glad you come Stilton, I am Christina Hopkins, I'll be directing the film "The Beast of Cheesy Hollow."

Geronimo: So, I take it you're the one who gave my cousin the role of the monster?

Christina: That's correct, and I can tell by looking at him he is right for the role.

Geronimo: I'm sure he is.

Christina: Well, since you're here, come on in.

[Geronimo and the Paw Twins follow Christina into the museum]

Geronimo: So, what is the Beast?

Male Voice: It is the wererat, something similar to the weremouse you've dealt with.

[Everyone looked to see another rabbit but with black fur and gray eyes]

Christina: There you are, brother. Geronimo, this is Nathan, the curator of this establishment.

Geronimo: I see...So, what got you both interested in the history of horror movies?

Nathan: Well, we watched a lot of old horror movies growing up, so much that we decided to get into the history of it. A lot of film directors read the original books and heard the old stories. They decided to incorporate it all into their work, ourselves included.

Geronimo: Really now?

Christina: Of course. But ours will be much different, since unlike most of the other ones, the one that we're basing it off of did actually happen.

Geronimo: You have got to be kidding. You actually believe in all that superstition?

Nathan: Are you saying you don't?

Geronimo: Of course. There is a logical explanation for everything in the world, including the so-called wererat.

Nathan: Wow, either you lost your sense of wonder at a young age or you really are a hard core skeptic.

Christina: Or, you just haven't had the chance to actually experience something unusual.

Thea's Voice: Oh, he's experienced plenty of unusual stuff.

[Everyone looked to see Thea approaching alongside Trap]

Wolfgang: Was wondering where you two were.

Trap: I was just showing her the costume I would be wearing during the film.

Christina: So Miss Thea… what unusual stuff has Geronimo experienced?

Thea: Well, he's dealt with fairies and dragons when he was a kid, not that he wants to admit it.

Geronimo: Those were just elaborate dreams I had when I had wilder imagination.

Trap: Yeah, you were way more fun as a kid, you could take a joke.

Geronimo: But then those so-called friends of yours used my wild imagination to humiliate me in front of everyone!

Trap: How was I supposed to know they would do something so mean spirited?

Thea: Regardless ever since that day, Geronimo gave up on things such as magic and the supernatural.

Nathan: That is most unfortunate. Having a bunch of bullies ruin your sense of wonder.

Geronimo: Well, it was for the best. As mean and horrible as it was, it helped me grow up.

Christina: But don't you ever miss those days?

Geronimo: Not in the slightest. I should have given up on it long before that incident, otherwise it wouldn't have happened.

Penelope: Oh Geronimo…

Wolfgang: Anyway…Trap, when do you start rehearsing your lines?

Trap: Hopefully soon. I can't wait to get started.

Geronimo: Well, you have fun. I'm heading back to the office, I have a lot of paperwork to take care of.

Thea: Don't you always?

Geronimo: Well, someone in our family has to be responsible.

Thea: If you say so…

Geronimo: Wolfgang, Penelope, you coming?

Wolfgang: Yeah, we need to go pick up the kids anway.

Penelope: Pandora and Benjamin wanted to check out this museum, provided they don't have a lot of homework to do.

Trap: Eh, homework can wait. Bring them over!

[And so Geronimo returns to the Rodent's Gazette with the Paw Twins as they head to their car]

Wolfgang: Sorry this experience wasn't as exciting for you Geronimo.

Geronimo: It was fine, as ridiculous as it was, I rather take that than what I usually deal with.

Penelope: Oh come on, Geronimo. Surely not all your adventures were that bad, and you always end up with a good scoop at the end of it all.

Geronimo: I do, but I prefer not dancing with danger whenever it happens.

Wolfgang: Hey, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. See you around.

[Wolfgang gets in the driver's seat and Penelope gets in the passenger's seat, just as they were about to leave they waved good-bye to Geronimo who does so in return]

Geronimo: (sighs) I guess today wasn't all that bad.

[Geronimo heads inside]

Narrator: Guess it was just another quiet day for the beloved Geronimo Stilton. Maybe there really isn't any trouble coming for the amazing and fantastic journalist. Or is this just the quiet before the storm? Only time will tell the tale.