Here's the next episode of this series, which is 'Haunted Train'! Anyway, enjoy!

"Come on, Phoebe, give us the details!"

Me and Nadine were walking the neighborhood next day with Phoebe as she was blushing. "Come on, girls. Do I have to?"

"We need to know!" I smiled. "Come on, tell me the truth. Is Gerald treating you right? Does he like your lipstick?"

"Rhonda, I don't wear lipstick." Phoebe frowned.

"Come on, Phoebe, you got to tell us! Did you like Gerald, or did you like Gerald?" Nadine raised an eyebrow.

Phoebe blushed for a moment before saying, "All right, all right. To tell you the truth..." She took a deep breath. "I had the greatest date in my life! Can you believe it? After I met up with Gerald, we started talking and we realized just how similar our likes and dislikes are! We had the greatest fun in our lives... we actually went riding in the bumper cars, Gerald helped me with a little mechanic in bumper cars in case brakes ever stick AND we were on the Tunnel of Love together! We talked and we talked... and he said he thought I was cute... he even walked me home. I'd say... this was the best date I ever had in my life."

I smiled as I hugged my friend. "I'm so proud of you, Phoebe!"

"Say, did you ever get Arnold?" Phoebe asked me.

I blushed a bit as Nadine said, "No, we never did. But we did him away from Ruth, so that's something."

"Anyway, Phoebe, where are you taking us?" I asked after realizing we've been walking for a while.

"We're going to Arnold's. I talked with Gerald and him and we all agreed we'd all come for a study session together." Phoebe smiled. "Who knows? Maybe this'll be the moment you finally confess!"

I blush a bit as we kept walking.

Inside Arnold's house, as we were in the kitchen doing a study session, I sighed as I tried to concentrate on the Social Studies homework we had, but sighed. "Guys, what is the point of Social Studies? It's completely boring, and nobody even CARES about it!"

"Nobody may care, Rhonda, but there are some instances where a use of Social Studies may be important." Arnold said as he wrote some notes.

"I know, but I'm bored. It's the same routine..." I sighed as Arnold's grandfather came in.

"Hey there, Shortman and friends! Doing homework, huh?" Arnold's grandfather asked.

"Social Studies, as a matter of fact..." Gerald said as we kept concentrating.

"More specifically, we're on the history of trains and how they were invented for travel through distant countries." Phoebe explained as Gerald gave a small smile to her.

"Trains, huh?" Arnold's grandfather asked in interest.

"Yeah, it's boring. Nothing interesting happens." I rolled my eyes.

"Come on, Rhonda. Trains are VERY interesting." Nadine smiled.

"Get real, Nadine." I frowned.

Arnold's grandfather paused... as he smiled, getting an idea. "Have I ever told you kids about the time I worked for the railroad?"

We rolled our eyes, expecting a boring story to come from Arnold's grandfather.

"AND FIRST HEARD THE LEGEND OF THE HAUNTED TRAIN!"

Well, that got our attention as we turned around in interest. Phoebe frowned as she said, "A haunted train? Get real, Phil."

"It's true, I tell ya! And don't call me Phil." Arnold's grandfather frowned.

"But... that's your real name." I pointed out.

Ignoring my comment, Arnold's grandfather started his story. "Forty years ago, old Engine 25 was heading for the station. The engineer went mad and drove his train off the tracks. They never saw him or the train again, Some say he drove it straight to... you know..."

Arnold's grandfather pointed down as we took guesses.

"Midtown?" Arnold asked.

"Downtown?" Gerald guessed.

"Hell?" I guessed.

"The burny inferno?" Nadine guessed.

"Oh, really..." Phoebe rolled her eyes.

"All the way downtown!" Arnold's grandfather said. "To the very most southern point!"

"You mean...?" Arnold's eyes widened.

"That's right." Arnold's grandfather gave a sneer.

"Wow, he drove all the way to the south pole!" Gerald said as Phoebe giggled.

I rolled my eyes at Gerald's moment of stupidity.

"No! He drove the train straight down, to the fiery underworld!" Arnold's grandfather said.

"Yeah, he went to Hell. Or as Nadine puts it, the burny inferno." I said.

"And so, every year on the anniversary of its last ride, Engine 25 comes back, the Mad Engineer at the throttle. He's on his way to the old train station to pick up unknowing passengers. These unsuspecting passengers are drawn onto the train by a blinding white light. It hypnotizes them, and a strong smell overpowers them. Some say it smells like rotten eggs, but I'll tell you what it is. It's the smell of..."

"Fire and brimstone?" I guessed.

"No, socks." Arnold's grandfather said.

"Oh, well, that's not..."

"Actually, I'm kidding. You're right, it is fire and brimstone." Arnold's grandfather smirked.

"Oh, Phil!" I rolled my eyes as I turned to Arnold's grandfather.

"Oh, please." Phoebe rolled her eyes.

"Then they start to hear a horrible ear splitting music! It shrieks and moans and sends a chill through your heart! It's not of this world. It's inhuman. After the music, the train then enters, The ZONE OF DARKNESS!"

Me, Nadine, Arnold and Gerald gasped as Phoebe rolled her eyes. "Phil!"

"It's true." Arnold's grandfather assured Phoebe. "In the zone of darkness, they can feel the heat from the flames, then the train comes to a complete stop. The doors open, and they are greeted by the red hot demon himself! All on May 18th."

I raised an eyebrow. "But today's May 18th, 2002."

"Then it's the fortieth anniversary!" Arnold's grandfather said as he lowered his eyes to us. "I'd sure hate to be at the old train station tonight. Oooh! The one on 53rd past Livingston. You know, next to the tire shop there."

As Arnold's grandfather left, Arnold, Gerald, Nadine and I stared with wide eyes as Phoebe just rolled hers. I said, "Man, that was a... interesting story, wasn't it?"

"Do you think the stories are true? I mean, my grandpa has been known to stretch the truth." Arnold said.

"I don't believe a word of it!" Phoebe frowned. "You guys seriously can't be considering the possibility!"

"Trust me, I'm not." I said. "I'm not dirtying my nails just to go down a train station."

"Besides, there's no such thing as ghost trains!" Phoebe frowned.

"I don't know..." Nadine said.

"Come on, let's just keep studying." I said as I looked over my Social Studies. "Besides, any story that's made up is better Social Studies reading material."

We were about almost done with our homework, with Phoebe surprisingly keeping quiet throughout the session. I also noticed that she clutched onto Gerald's hand moreso than ever. As me and Nadine helped Arnold with a math problem.

"YAH!"

We jumped as we saw Phoebe being a little stiff. Me and Nadine ran over as I asked, "Phoebe, you okay?"

"I'm sorry, fellas, I can't concentrate. I keep seeing the haunted train coming after me." Phoebe explained.

"Wait, you're starting to believe in the haunted train now?" Arnold asked.

"I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't overreact to something silly, but..." Phoebe said.

"Phoebe, Arnold's grandpa made up the story. There's no such thing as haunted trains, you said so yourself." I said.

"I'd have to side with Rhonda here..." Nadine said. "Why don't we just focus on our homework, and we can go home okay?"

"I can't concentrate..." Phoebe said as she looked over. "Arnold, Gerald, Rhonda, Nadine, I want you four to come with me to the train station so I can prove that there's no haunted train coming."

"Hey, Phoebe, we understand if you're scared, but..." Gerald started as he started keeping her close.

"Please? I just want to prove to my mind there's no haunted train." Phoebe begged.

Arnold and Gerald smiled a bit as Arnold said, "We can come with you, if it makes you feel better.

"I'll go too." Nadine smiled. "I always wanted to see the train station."

"I'm not going for all the manicotti in Italy!" I frowned. "I have plans tonight!"

"What plans do you have?" Phoebe asked.

"You know... girl stuff." I said as I picked up a magazine and read it.

Phoebe frowned. "Rhonda, I'm not going to feel comfortable until you help me out!"

I ignored Phoebe as I looked at the magazine. I looked up at the magazine and noticed Phoebe doing a Puppy Dog pout and eyes on me. I kept shoving the magazine closer to my face. I peeked out again as I noticed Phoebe raised her puppy dog pout even more, and her eyes started growing big. I rolled my eyes, shoving the magazine closer to my face.

"Okay, Rhonda, you asked for it." Phoebe said as she ran out of the room. I peeked out from my magazine as she came back with a CD Player and a couple of CD tracks. "Rhonda, you will be subjected to the torture of bad music by Britney Spears."

I screamed in fear as I threw the magazine aside. "Oh no, not that! She's not even fashionable!"

I sighed as Phoebe smirked, tossing the CD player aside. "So you'll come with?"

"Fine, you win." I sighed as Arnold, Gerald and Nadine laughed. "We'll go to the train station tonight."

Later that night, we arrived at the train station as I held a flashlight, Arnold, Gerald, Nadine and Phoebe following me. "Come on, we'll prove there's no haunted train."

We carefully walked inside the old train station as we walked past the boards (Nadine was taking care of the spiders for us in her own fashion) as we crawled through and arrived near the entrance to the train station.

Gerald then picked up a stone and threw it at a nearby cave, causing a million bats to fly around.

"Gerald, seriously?" I screeched as I clung on to Arnold tightly.

"Rhonda, you're squeezing my body." Arnold choked.

"Oh..." I blushed as I let go of him. "Sorry."

"All right, let's wait here for an hour or so. If no haunted train comes, we'll go home." Nadine said.

"All right, simple enough." I nodded as all five of us started to relax.

I had to admit, the hour would have been slow if not for the catchy tune Gerald and Arnold were putting on. Phoebe, Nadine and I laughed as we applauded the little tune they played involving the Ghost Train and what goes on within. Gerald smirked. "Thank you, ladies, thank you. You're too kind."

"You really have a beautiful voice, Gerald." Phoebe blushed.

Phoebe smiled as she looked around. "In fact, I feel at ease now. I do feel a little silly coming here. I can see now that there's no haunted train."

"See, what did I tell you?" I smiled to my friend. "You worried for nothing."

"And I have disproven my own theory. Now we can relax." Phoebe said as we heard a sound.

"Okay, Arnold, you can stop playing the harmonica now. We're done." I said calmly.

"That's not my harmonica, Rhonda."

My eyes widened as we all turned to Arnold, seeing that he put his harmonica away. We then turned towards the train tracks as... as... a train pulled up. Not just any train...

"Engine 25..." All of us said as we leaned in for a closer look.

"It's probably a new model. Probably doesn't mean anything..." Phoebe said, but her curiosity got the best of her as well.

The door slid open and the next thing we knew, our curiosity piqued as we walked inside the train.

Arnold and Gerald stopped as they both gasped. "The white light! It pulled us on!"

"No it didn't. We just walked in." I said.

"I have to agree with Rhonda. We only walked in, it doesn't mean a force pulled us in! Besides, the only white lights inside are those fluorescent light bulbs hanging from the ceilings!" Phoebe said, pointing to the light bulbs. "Come on, let's go out and..."

Before we could turn around and walk, the door to the train closed. Phoebe groaned, "Okay, guess we're riding then!"

We sighed as we sat down... when I noticed an odor. "Hey, do you smell that?"

"Hey, he who smelt it dealt it." Gerald frowned.

"No, not that type of smell. More like..." I paused before sniffing around. "...a rotton egg smell... or fire and brimstone! Do you think..."

"...that this train could very WELL be headed to the steel mill? Yes, I do." Phoebe said. "That smell is sulfur."

"We don't know that for sure, Phoebe." Nadine said as all of a sudden, we heard ear-piercing music.

"Do you hear what I hear?" Gerald said in fear.

"You mean that horrible ear-splitting and possibly inhumane music?" Arnold asked.

"Oh come on!" Phoebe frowned. "Even I know polka when I hear it!"

I listened closely and realized Phoebe was right. "Okay, so it's polka. But what was the third sign?"

The lights all of a sudden started flickering on and off. Gerald gasped. "The lights!"

"The Zone of Darkness." Arnold gasped.

"We only went into a tunnel. It is no big deal!" Phoebe frowned. "It does NOT mean we are going to hell! Besides, the lights will be back on!"

We waited a couple of minutes and pretty soon Phoebe was right, we got out of the tunnel and the lights came back on. After a few minutes of riding, Gerald and Arnold looked out the windows as Gerald gasped. "I see it! I see the fire!"

We all peeked out and...

"Oh my gosh!" Phoebe said timidly... before saying in a deadpan voice. "We see steel mill workers making steel. That is so scary, I wet myself."

Arnold and Gerald paused as they looked closer as Arnold said, "You're right, Phoebe, it is a steel mill."

"See? Come on, when the train stops, we'll explain what happened, we get back to the station and we'll go home." Phoebe said. "And once again, my mind is at ease."

We waited until the train came to a complete stop. The door opened up as we saw a shadowy figure as Nadine gasped. "The Fiery Demon!"

"It is a worker for the steel mill!" Phoebe pointed as we looked closer. Once again, she was right. We then heard a door opening as we see an engineer coming in.

"What are you kids doing here? Nobody's allowed on this train except for steel mill workers." The engineer said.

Phoebe then turned to the engineer and explained, "I'm really sorry, sir. My friends here believed that this train was a 'haunted train'."

"Haunted! Oh no, not that story again." the engineer sighed. "Kids, this train is for relief workers."

"I know, and that's what I've been trying to explain." Phoebe said. "But we sort of got curious and walked on the train as soon as the door opened."

"Oh, sorry. I always let the doors open to let out some air for a couple seconds before closing it up and moving onwards." The engineer explained.

"I even told them the smell was sulfer, the lights always go on and off when going through a cave, and told them the music was polka!" Phoebe said.

"You like it?" The engineer said as he pulled out an accordion and played it a little.

"A little. But not my style of music." I said.

"Well, I'm glad you're all made clear to your friends. Come on, we'll take you to the right train home." The engineer said as the steel mill workers started to go in.

We cheered naturally.

After we made our way home by train, we decided to walk back to the neighborhood as Phoebe smiled. "Well, I'm glad we finally got everything all straightened out."

"And at least we didn't get bored." I smiled.

"You know, you have to think... do you think Grandpa stood us up to this?" Arnold asked.

"Who knows?" Phoebe said. "But I was right about one thing... there is no haunted train!"

"Indeed, you were right." I said as we all laughed. I then said, "Come on, let's get ourselves home. We have school tomorrow."

We nodded as we kept walking, knowing of a very interesting night being successful.

And there is the seventeenth episode! How do you like it? Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!