The GreenWood Ghost by Jaclyn Harris (phonics readers .txt) 📕

Oliver Good looked out the window, as the bus passed a large green sight with 'Welcome to GreenWood' in white printed on it. A twinge of fear ignited in Oliver. It had been almost six years since the day. Oliver lifted his head from the window to look around the gray hound bus. Up ahead he could see main street.

The bus empty of any passengers, the only other person on the bus happend to be the driver, most people would find it rather strange, but Oliver Good wasn't most people, just as GreenWood wasn't like most towns. Suddenly, the bus came to a gentle halt next to a bus stop. Quickly realizing this Oliver stumbled awkardly to get out of his seat, this caused the bus driver to look over. As Oliver yanked his suitcase off the over-head compartment, he saw the driver stairing over at him. The driver was a pale man, who seemed to be at least seventy. From what he could tell, the driver had thin gray hair, that was covered in grease. The man's face was thin and bony, it reminded Oliver of a skull. His eyes were the worst, as they were a very unhealthy color of gray that made him look as if he had just climbed out of his own grave.

Quickly looking away Oliver finished pulling his suitcase of the rack, and began walking off the bus, looking down to avoid the old mans eyes. Just as he steped off the driver said,

"Welcome back Mister Good."

Oliver looked back just in time to see the man smile at him before he shut the door and drove off. Oliver thought the driver looked creepy before, but that smile made him look absolutely terrifying.

Turning back to main street, he could see the town hadn't changed a bit. The forest surronded the small town, giving it a calm feeling. The trees had already started to turn colors for the fall. The streets were lined with antique shops, and mom and pop kind of stores. Oliver sat down on his suitcase and pulled out his phone. Dialing the number he heald it up to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Hey grampa, its me," Oliver answered "Oliver," he quickly added.

"Oh, Oliver!" His grandpa said happily. "Where are you?"

"In town, I just got in."

"I'll be over there in a minute, just give me a sec," and with that he hung up.

Oliver slipped his phone into his pocket. Then he noticed a small turquoise bench on the other side of the street, sitting right under a tree. Knowing it would take a few minutes, Oliver stood up, grabbed his suitcase, and walked over to the beanch. After about two or three minutes, Oliver felt a hand on his shoulders. The sudden touch was enough to make the young man jump.

"Whoa, sorry, didn't mean to frighten you." the man said. Oliver looked over, his shoulder. The man was aevrage sized, muscular, and had a full hair of dark blond hair. He wore a police uniform, and by the badge he was wearing, Oliver could tell he was the sheirif

"I thought I reconized you, Oliver right? Oliver Good," the man smiled.

"Ya, long time no see Officer Jackson," Oliver replyed smiling back "Or should I say Sherif Jackson, by the badge your wearing, I'd guess you got a promotion." Jackson laghted 

"Nothing could ever escape you, even back then," at the last part Oliver could see Sheriff Jackson's eyes fill with regret.

"So, what you doin back?" the sheriff added in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"I decided to move in with my granpa," Oliver replyed ", speaking of the devil, there he is," Oliver quickly adds noticing his grandfathers brown station wagon pulling up.

"Well, see ya around kid," the Sheriff replyed waving goodbye

"See ya," and with that Oliver threw his suitcase in the back seat and hopped in the frount.

"Ready?" asked his grandfather.   

"Ya, lets go."

Olivers grandfather had a rather small home, with three bedrooms, two and a half baths, a living room that was connected to the kitchen by a counter, and a living room. Oliver still remebered every detail about the house. Outside he staired at the two story building. He could see the green paint begining to peel and the wood was a little worn, but over all it looked like the same house he new.

Inside was just like the outside. Nothing had moved, but just about every cerface was covered with a good layer of dust, and Oliver was sure he had seen just about a dozen spider webs.

"You're bed room is up stairs," Olivers grandfather said as he made his way over to the wooden staircase. Geustering for Oliver to follow. 

Upstairs there were five doors. Mister Good lead Oliver to the last door, at the very end of the hallway. He pushed open the door to reveal a small white room, with a bed, a dresser, a desk and a mirror. The paint had begun to chip in several areas, the sheets had a slight yellow tint to then, but the besk and dresser looked rather intact. Oliver looked around for any dust or spiders, that might have made themselves at home, but it looked like his grandfather had swept the room especialy for him.

"Well here you go," Mister Good gestered to the room before walking in, draging Oliver's suitcase along "Home sweet home." And with that he swung Olivers suitcase onto the bed with one foul swoop.

"Tell me if you need any help unpacking," Oliver nodded and with that his grandfather walked back downstairs.  

Oliver walked over to the window, and pushed the blind apart so he could see out. To his right he had a perfect veiw of the sidewalk, and to his left he could see where the forest to his backyard began. He let out a sigh and began unpacking.

After about ten minutes Oliver had finished unpacking, and headed downstairs.

"Where are you going?" His grandfather asked as he noticed Oliver slipping his shoes on.

"I just want to go for a little walk," Oliver answered "You know, to see how much has changed."

"Alright," Mister Goodman said, "Just stay out of trouble." And with that Oliver was out the door.

GreenWood was just like how Oliver remebered. Orange and yellow trees decorated the streets, while the sky was a light gray color. Leaves layered the ground, as a cool wind carried the smell of rain mixed with fresh mulch.

Oliver walked with his head down. He passed throgh mainstreet, took a left at Harvy Rd. untill he came to a small dirt road. The road was unkept, and looked more like a deer train than a dirt road. Oliver followed the trail untill he came to a house, or at least the remains of one. Now it looked more like the sceliton of the previous house. Oliver stood for a moment, remebering the beautiful building it had once been. Now all that was left was the charcoled frame. Oliver walked ofer to the abandomed building, running his hand along the fragile wood.

"Six years," Oliver said to the house ", I've gotten bigger since then. Sorry I haven't visited in a while mom." Oliver looked up sadly, before walking to the large tree that would have been siting in the backyard of the house. Hanging from a brang was a wooden swing, that was suprizingly in good shape. Oliver gently sat down, careful to prevent the swing from snapping. He stared at his feet for about five minutes, recalling the flames.

"Looks like you found our little town's haunted house," Oliver jumped and wipped his head around to see a dark skinned boy, about his age.

"Name's Josh, you must be new in town," he said politly as he stuck his hand out.

"Oliver, nice to meet you," Oliver answered shaking Josh's hand.

"So, whats the local myth?" Oliver asked ", you know, about what happened here?"

"Well, people say there used to be a woman who used to live there with her son. Every one loved them, but oneday there was a fire. Killed the mom, but when the fire fighteres arrived, the kid was outside. They say he sat on that very swing, just stairing at the fire, and swinging back and forth, covered in his mothers blood. Some people say the kid killed his mom and started the fire, others say a demon came and killed the woman, and the kid started the fire to get rid of it, no one knows for sure. But every day, on the sixth anniversery they say the killer will come back, and seek his revenge on six more victims, before the night is out."

Oliver listened. "Well, isn't this year the sixth anniversery?" he asked finally.

"Ya," Josh said shocked at Oliver's knowledge ",how'd you know that?"

"I guess you could say I lived here a long time ago," Oliver said cautiosly.

"No way! Your the kid!" Josh holered.

Publication Date: 09-27-2013

All Rights Reserved