Chapter Four: Grim Grinning Ghosts


Music.

That's what the group was starting to hear as their carriage made their way out the window and down the veranda as the carriage began to rotate backwards. This confused the group wholly, though it was part of its function, but what really had their attention disturbed them. They had found themselves surrounded by dark, ghoulish looking trees with knotted expressions; causing then to look like monsters reaching out for the group. One one of the branches was the raven from the mansion, the red eyes made him recognizable, who was about to crow at the group, but stopped and shrunk away when it noticed the fiery eyes of Carmelita.

"I'm always the one for recycling, but these trees don't look so "Eco-friendly" to me." Sly stated, his eyes narrowed.

"That makes two of us." Bentley added, agreeing with his raccoon friend.

It was when they were finally on the ground that the carriage returned facing forward and was making its way towards the gates of the cemetery. As they got closer, they saw that they weren't alone as there was someone standing outside the gate . . . and he appeared to be alive! Upon closer inspection showed that it was an adult male dog that appeared to be middle-aged Blood-Hound with greying-brown fur, rugged twelve-o-clock shadow, thin tail, long shoulder-length grey hair, and dull-blue eyes with the pupils shrunken in fright. He wore a blue long-sleeved shirt, brown hoodless jacket, brown slacks, dirty-brown leather gloves, green scarf around his neck, and a dark-blue cap. He also appeared to be holding an old-fashioned lantern in one hand, which brightened up everywhere around him, and a dirt-covered shovel in the other.

"Hey there, you alright?" Murray called out, which startled the canine, but called when he saw who it was.

"Oh, hello, you gave this ol' ticker a start." The dog said, calming down. "I don't believe we've met, I'm Fusslebottom, Horace Richard Fusslebottom, some people call me "Boney", I'm the caretaker of the mansion."

"Nice to meet you, "Boney"." Sly snickered, as did the rest of the group at the sound of Horace's name. "I'm Sly and these are my friends Bentley, Murray, Carmelita, and Penelope."

"I'm Peng." The panda introduced, then gestured to the last member of the group. "And this flashy clad person is Dimitri."

"Bonne Nuit, Monsieur Fusslebottom." The iguana greeted, once again snickering at the name once more.

"Well, if I must ask, what're youngsters like yourselves doing in a place like this in the middle of the night . . ?" Boney asked when he saw that the were in the carriage. "Now I'm not the most knowledgeable person around these parts, but I'm assuming that you're all on a tour by Master Gracey."

"Up until he ditched us, but yeah, we are." Carmelita replied wistfully.

"But what about you, you looked like you've seen a ghost." Penelope noted by how horrified the Blood Hound was. "Pun not intended, of course."

"Oh, that, yes, when I come here each night the haunts have their Swinging Wake, they like to jump out and surprise me." Boney said in a low sad voice. "If it weren't bad enough that I was already afraid of the dark."

"If you don't pardon me asking, but if you're so afraid of the dark, then why do you work here?" Bentley asked out of curiosity.

"Well, to tell the truth, my wife passed away not too long ago, but she was buried here rather than the Swallow Falls cemetery."

"Really?" Murray asked.

"Yes, whenever Mr. Gracey and the ghosts have a Swinging Wake, my wife always appears here and we have dinner like we use to when she was alive." Bone replied dreamily and vividly. "Even now, she's as beautiful as ever and still wears that same hair band I got her for our 22nd anniversary, but I'm probably weirding you out."

"Not at all, in fact, it's good to know there's still some happiness left in this ancient place." Sly said, maybe this place wasn't as bad as he thought after all. "Well, it's been nice meeting you, Boney, but we gotta book or our parents will worry themselves to death."

This had actually made everyone, including Boney, let out a chuckle and giggle.

"Yeah, my wife might appear at any minuet, I'll see you all around."

The carriage then began to continue it's way as it began to wheel it's way through the graveyard . . . which was filled to the brim with ghosts from different parts in time! Some appeared to be from the mid to late 1800s as some appeared to be from the 1930s; just how many people lived in this mansion anyway? It was at that moment that the raccoon, vixen, turtle, and hippo noticed a bright red-orange light from above their carriage and were shocked to see what it was.

"Zero?" Sly questioned skeptically.

"That was Zero!" Carmelita whispered in amazement.

"What do you think he was doing here?" Murray asked, scratching his head.

"You guys say something?" Penelope asked, which also got the attention of the panda and iguana.

"Oh, nothing, just thinking out loud is all." Bentley said with a nervous chuckle.

"If you say so." Dimitri shrugged, reverting his attention to his front.

It was if it were by chance, or fate, whichever came first, but what came next was an even bigger shock than it was a few minuets ago. There, up in a conversation with a few ghosts, was a tall, skeletal figure wearing a white dress-shirt with a bat-like bow-toe, gentleman's pinstripe tail coat, matching pinstripe pants, and black shoes. This figure was apparently familiar to the group and vice-versa as a flying ghost-dog with a glowing nose flew around said figure, who then spotted the carriage, causing him to don a look of surprise. The figure rubbed his eye, though they were only empty sockets, as if he could believe what he was seeing or if what it saw was really there. Upon making sure that neither side was hallucinating and were really there, were about to call out to each other, when Sly stopped and gestured his friends and the figure to remain quiet. The raccoon went on to gesture to the other three companions, all three of whom the figure did not seem to recognize and were conveniently looking away, then nodded. The figure then began to send the four signs languages, which Murray couldn't understand, and Carmelita nodded as she perfectly understood what was signaled their way. With that all out of the way, the four began to wave goodbye to the figure, who waved back with a bright smile, well, as bright as a skeleton could anyway.

"Murray, who're you waving to?" Peng asked as the hippo saw that he, plus the iguana and mouse, were staring at him.

"No one, just trying to get a good stretch from sitting in this carriage too long." Murray replied, then began to stretch, chuckling nervously as his turtle friend.

"Okay . . ." Penelope said casting a glance at the raccoon, turtle, and vixen, who only shrugged.

Before anyone could say anything else, the carriage rode up to a broken-up brick wall, which had five marble-bust heads: one of a coyote wearing a hat, a croc with a neatly trimmed haircut, a tabby that would appeared to be muscular if it had a body, a middle-aged goose, and a Doberman that was apparently broken.

"Alright, boys, from the top." The bust with the hat, much to the groups surprise, spoke up, indicating he was the leader.

It was then that the music changed from Mozart and classical to jazzy as the busts began to sing, which was actually very catchy.

Lead Bust: When the crypt doors creak

And the tombstones quake!

Other Busts: Spooks come out

For a Swinging Wake!

Lead Bust: Happy Haunts

Materialize!

Other Busts: And begin to

Vocalize!

Bust Quintet: Grim Grinning Ghosts

Come out to socialize!

Upon looking around, the group saw that the busts were right; all the ghosts that were appearing were in conversations as well as dancing.

Lead Bust: Now don't close your eyes

And don't try hide!

Other Busts: Or a Silly Spook

May sit by your side!

As the busts continued to sing, Sly noticed a figure sitting besides the carriage, which also caught the attention of the rest of the group, and were shocked to see what it was. It appeared to be a short, male Pomeranian with long ghostly white hair and was wearing 1890-eqsue clothing with a V-collared cape and top-hat with a grey line. But what really got to the group was that when he turned to look at them and revealed that he face was very skeletal with only his (with the exception of his hair) eyes, which looked completely white save for the shrunken pupils, still attached as he smiled dementedly.

Ghost: Shrouded in

a daft disguise!

After singing it's part, the ghost vanished right into thin air, though it was noticeable to see how surprised the group was. They just shook it off as he carriage continued to move through he graveyard

Busts: The pretend

to terrorize!

Bust Quintet: Grim Grinning Ghosts

Come out to socialize!

Lead Bust: As the moon high

O'er dead oak trees!

The group looked to see a large, silvery full-moon in the night sky, above the mentioned dead oak trees.

Other Busts: Spook arrive for

The Midnight-Spree!

Lead Bust: Creepy creeps

With eerie eyes . . .

It was at that time that the ghost with the big eyes reappeared, but only for a few seconds.

Creep: Start to shriek!

Other Busts: And Harmonize!

Bust Quintet: Grim Grinning Ghosts

Come out to socialize!

Lead Gust: When you hear the knell

Of a requiem bell!

Upon singing that one verse, a bell from the funeral home began to ring and eerie light began to appear from as more ghosts began to appear.

Other Busts: Weird glows gleam

Where spirits dwell!

Lead Bust: Restless bones

Etherialize!

Other Busts: Rises spooks

Of every size!

Instead of ending the verse with "Grim Grinning Ghosts" like the others, the leader of the busts merely let out an evil laugh, though it wasn't as chilling as the Ghost Host's.

"Okay, what's a "requiem" bell, and what happens if it "knells"?" Murray asked, scratching his head.

"A requiem bell, is a funeral bell, Murray." Bentley said as if it were obvious.

"And knell means ringing." Carmelita added.

"So, in short, it means that more ghosts are appearing thanks to that funeral bell." Penelope finished, clearing things up.

"Oh . . ."

As the carriage road on more, the group spotted four more ghosts high above them, which were apparently riding on 1920-style bicycles as if they were on the ground. Traveling deeper into the graveyard was a lot different as there were some ghosts that surrounded a hearse, which was covered in mud, and were apparently having a tea party. Balancing on a teeter-totter were a king and queen and a duchess was swinging on a branch of a withered old tree as a skeletal hound was howling in the background. What really confused the group was that there was an Egyptian sarcophagus that was slightly opened revealing a mummified hand; did the family have relatives on Egypt or was it part of a collection? Next to the sarcophagus appeared to be an elderly dingo with wrinkly skin, long white hair, and wearing 1800s-era clothing, and was carrying an old-fashioned hearing horn. It could have been to the (obvious) fact that this long dead old-timer was deaf or hard of hearing, or both.

"What?" The elderly specter asked, adjusting his hearing-horn. "Speak up, I can't understand what you're saying!"

This was quite the scene indeed as these antics was given chuckles and giggles from the group; perhaps it was for the best that the ghost was deaf. It was at that moment that the group spotted the familiar form of Boney, sitting next to a grave and was having a conversation with a female, Scottish Setter . . . Who was a ghost! She appeared to be in her mid-thirties wearing clothing from the 1940's and long lowing hair; this must've been his wife. As they rode on, Boney had caught sight of the group, as did his wife as they both gave friendly waves, which were returned by waves from the group. Continuing on its way, the carriage rode past another tea party, which was being lead by the woman from the Medusa portrait from the mansion. As soon as she saw the group riding by, she gestured to all that were attended at he table to the carriage, then nodded as if they were saying "hello". The group waved to acknowledge their greet and listened as the female canine ghost began to sing along.

Lady Ghost: When the crypt doors creak

And the tombstones quake!

Spooks come out

For a Swinging Wake

Happy Haunts materialize

And begin to vocalize

Grim Grinning Ghosts

Come out to socialize

The way she sang was very elegant, not like a fancy and uptight manner, but one of being dainty when singing each verse, which astounded the group in many ways. As the group continued on, they immediately spotted two feline figures that looked eerily similar to the character "Erik" from "Phantom of the Opera", only one of the "phantoms" had the mask the opposite way. Man, if Mr. Octavio, a residential who absolutely adored opera, would love to see this, despite all the ghosts. Also, like Erik, they began to boom their voices as if they were performing in an opera house. If that weren't enough, three more ghostly figures appeared from the out of the darkness: a bear, a wolf, and a small koala (like their teacher Mister Korman, but different). The bear was dressed as a medieval executioner, the koala (who was very hair [more rhyme]) was dressed in tattered clothing and shackles, which meant he was a prisoner. The knight appeared similar to the skeletal knight portrait from the mansion, but was fully in flesh, provided if he weren't a ghost that is. He was also headless! He was carrying his head, which was in an opened helmet that revealed he was elderly with a very long mustache, in his right hand in a Hamlet-like fashion. Upon seeing the carriage, they did something that did not fit their aura; they partook in the music and began to join into the singing!

Executioner: Now don't close your eyes

And don't try to hide

Knight: Or a Silly Spook

May sit by your side

Prisoner: Shrouded in

A daft disguise

Ghost Lady: They Pretend

To Terrorize

Grim Grinning Ghost

Come out to socialize

Now that was unexpected for anyone to hear from the three: the woman and executioner having British accents, the knight having a Germanic accent, and the prisoner having a grave voice. None the less, they sounded as if they had sung for years as they all sung in unison.

Prisoner: As the moon

Climbs high o'er dead oak trees

Knight: Spook arrive for

The Midnight Spree

Executioner: Creepy Creeps with eerie eyes

Start to shriek and harmonize

Grim grinning Ghosts

Come out to socialize

Ghost Lady: When you hear the knell

Of a requiem bell!

Weird glows gleam

Where spirits dwell!

Restless bone etherealize!

Rises spooks of every size!

Oh, yes, indeed!

Apparently, the ghosts were saving up their biggest performance for last as the graveyard was now filled to the brim with music and singing.

Ghosts and Busts: When the crypt doors creak

And the tombstones quake!

Spooks come out for a Swinging Wake!

Happy Haunts materialize

And begin to vocalize!

Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize!

Now don't close your eyes and don't try to hide

Or a Silly Spook will sit by your side!

Shrouded in a daft disguise!

They pretend to terrorize!

Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize!

As the moon climbs high o'er dead oak trees

spooks arrive for a Midnight Spree!

Creepy Creeps with eerie eyes

Single Bust: Start to shriek!

Ghosts and Busts: And harmonize!

Grim grinning Ghosts come out to socialize!

When you hear the knell of a requiem bell

Weird glows gleam where spirits dwell!

Restless bones etherealize

Rises spooks of ever size!

Upon singing the final verse, every ghost and undead creature, let out sinister laughs as the group was met by an all too familiar voice.

"Ah! There you are!"

"Here we are." Sly mumbled indifferently.

"Where else could we go?" Murray asked sarcastically.

"There's one little matter I forgot to mention."

"Little matter?" Peng questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Which is?" Carmelita urged on, suspicious of what was about to be said.

"Beware of hitchhiking ghosts!"

"Hitchhiking ghosts, what hitchhiking ghosts?" Penelope questioned, looking around.

"Ou Est (where is?)?" Dimitri asked in French, also looking around.

As soon as those words were spoken, the group saw three figures leaning to their left and signaling for a ride by any passing by vehicle. The first figure, being the shortest of the three, was the familiar form of the dwarf-sized prisoner from the Swinging Wake. The other two, however, were completely new to the group: the first was a plump, hunchbacked dingo with a top hat and was carrying a carpet-bag. The other, who was the tallest out of the three, was a skeletal-looking ferret wearing a bowler hat. The one thing the ferret and ding had in common, as with the other ghosts in the graveyard, was that they were wearing 1880s-era clothing. The group merely shrugged it off as they entered a large tomb that, for some reason, happened to have four large mirrors on the left wall.

"They selected you to fill our quota and they'll haunt you till return!"

It was then that the Ghost Host let out another one of his loud, echoing as the top of the carriage turned towards the mirrors . . . which showed the ghosts sitting with the group!

"Now, I will raise the safety-bars and a ghost will follow you home, kindly watch your step, watch your step . . ."

Ghosts: If you would like to join our jamboree

There's a simple rule that's compulsory

Mortals pay a token fee

Rest In Peace, the hunting's free

So hurry back, we would like your company

And just like that, the voice of the Ghost Host gave out one last sinister chuckle, then began to fade away. Upon coming to a halt, the carriage's safety bars lifted up; allowing the group to safely get off and stepped down the ladder to the floor. But there were a few, matters that needed to be sorted out before they could leave, effective: immediately.

"Okay, here's the thing guys: nnnnnoooooo." Murray stated, looking at the three ghosts.

"What my friend is trying to say is that you cannot accompany us home." Bentley clarified, no longer frightened.

"We weren't going to leave the cemetery . . . for long." The skeletal ferret mumbled.

"That's right, we would've been there, haunt, and begone before anyone knew." The dingo added.

"For a few days . . ." The prisoner admitted.

"Look, guys, you seem like nice guys, but, how do I put this . . ?" Sly started to pondered.

"No way, Joe-Say, ez any of you trois haunting near my house!" Dimitri stated bluntly.

"Never happening." Peng said sternly.

"Me familia is all I need at home!" Carmelita said angrily.

"Guys, cool it, will ya!" Sly exclaimed, which did the trick as he regained his composure. "What we're trying to say is: we can't let you guys come with us."

"Sorry, but I don't think any of our families would like ghosts haunting around our homes." Penelope finished carefully, which saddened the spirits some.

"But look at it this way, it's almost Halloween." Bentley pointed out. "That way all the ghosts can blend in."

"In other words: have a Happy Halloween." Sly said with an assuring smile.

The ghosts though for a minuet, then smiled and nodded as they waved goodbye, then made their way back to the graveyard, laughing as they did so. Continuing on their way, the group caught sight of one final spectral figure, which appeared to be the girl with the parasol from one of the stretching portraits in the mansion. The way she spoke bounced off the walls as she smiled at the group.

"Hurry back . . . Hurry back . . . Be sure to bring your death certificates if you decide to join us . . . We've been dying . . . to have you . . ."

"Oh, we will, we will." Bentley smiled, then turned back to the group. "I about seventy years."

Then, as they made their way up the slope, the iguana and panda suddenly stopped in his tracks, causing the rest of the group to look their way.

"Say, Cooper, I know me and Kung Fu boy here haven't been the most friendliest of peoples for as long as we've known each other . . ." Dimitri started but was stuttering as he did so. "But, maybe . . . if we, if it might be . . ."

"I think that what he's trying to say is if it might be alright if we could . . . hang out, tomorrow?" Peng, timidly asked.

The five were completely caught off-guard as soon as they heard those words spoken right from the panda's mouth; did he really want to hang out? Yeah, they were both jerks when they were with their respective gangs, but they seemed a lot different now that said gangs were disbanded. In fact, al throughout the "tour" they never showed an inch of how they've acted before; almost as if those "bad part" of them had simply vanished without a trace. Well, if they really have changed for the better, maybe giving them a chance was a good idea.

"Maybe, how does tomorrow afternoon sound?" Sly asked, which surprised his two former enemies.

"I like it." Peng smiled.

"Sounds like a plan, Cooper Man." Dimitri added enthusiastically.

The group then made their way out of the tomb and were walking through the front yard, when something shiny on the ground a few feet away had suddenly caught Sly's full attention as he broke from the group to see what it was. As the raccoon had reached what he saw, he kneeled down, grabbed the object, then brought it to his eyes to see what it was. To his shock and surprise, it was a dark-navy-blue sapphire gem! The raccoon could scarcely believe his eyes! Though he wasn't a greedy person, or a gold digger for that matter, but if there was one out of the many things the Cooper was good at: it was being able to tell genuine from prosthetic. It must've belonged to the Graceys or friends of theirs, but the real question was how did it end up out here and why was it that the raccoon had found it first-

"Sly, you coming?" Carmelita called out.

"Yeah, be right there!" Sly called back, placed the gem in his pocket, then rushed to catch up with the group.