Shadows of the Past: A Supernatural Suspense Mystery (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 1) by Nellie Steele (best books for 7th graders .TXT) 📕

clouds, forcing them to shield their eyes when it was uncovered. “Uncle Alexander lives this way, down this path. He built himself a house that looked like the one the Buckleys had over in England. Come on!” Max yelled.

Max and Maddy raced down the path with Michael and Damien rushing to keep up with them. The path contained a few twists and turns. The children seemed to have no trouble navigating, turning off when necessary to another path. After weaving through several paths, a large white house appeared in the distance. It didn’t appear to be as large as the main house or as grand but was still impressive.

They pushed on toward the house, the children reaching it first. They used the large brass doorknocker to knock at the door. The door opened as Michael and Damien caught up to them. It was Henry, the caretaker they had met last night. “Help you? Oh, Mr. Max and Ms. Maddy, how are you?”

“Hi, Henry,” Max said. “We’re here to find out if Uncle Alexander has seen Aunt Celine.”

“Oh, yeah, he’s seen her, she’s here, but, uh, they can’t talk. They’re real busy.”

“Are they looking for the painting?”

“Painting? Oh, you mean Mina’s painting? No, they’re just talking. But they can’t be disturbed.”

“Oh, we’ll just wait for her here,” Max said, pushing his way into the house with Maddy. Michael and Damien pushed through with them.

“Oh, well, I’ll tell them you were here but they might be a long time, so it’s best that you be on your way.”

“We’re not in any hurry, we’ll wait,” Max said.

Henry became impatient. “Now, I just told you that you can’t wait here. Now you get going,” he snapped.

“Listen, Henry, this is our fault,” Michael interjected, “We were looking for Jos, eh, Celine, and we asked the kids to help us. It’s important that we find her.”

“Yeah, really important,” Maddy said.

“Like I said, I’ll tell her you were here, but it’s best you’re all on your way.”

“We’d prefer to wait for her. Perhaps you could let her know we’re here?” Michael said.

“Now I told you they’re busy and can’t be disturbed! What part of that don’t you understand?!”

Michael was ready to respond when a new voice entered the conversation. “That’s rather rude, isn’t it, Henry? These people are guests on the estate.” Both Michael and Damien spotted a man coming down the stairs from the second story. Josie was with him.

“Well, Mr. Buckley, you were talking to Mrs. Buckley, and you said it was important, I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“It’s fine, Henry, I’ll handle it from here,” he said, reaching the bottom of the stairs. “I’m Alexander Buckley, it’s a pleasure to meet you, and you’re both friends of Celine?” Alexander shook both of their hands.

“Hi, Uncle Alexander,” Max said. “Wow! You must be Aunt Celine, you’re as pretty as Uncle Gray said!”

“Yeah, you’re so pretty,” Maddy interjected.

Josie smiled at the two children. “Yes, I am Aunt Celine and thank you!”

“Were you looking for the painting, too, Aunt Celine?”

“Um, in a way, yes. In fact, I’m leaving right now to keep working on it.”

“We’ll check at the stables and the sheds if you take the other spots, Aunt Celine!” Max said before she could leave.

“Okay, sounds good, thanks,” Josie said, trying to make a quick exit.

“Jos, Celine,” Damien said, shaking his head, “we need to talk.”

“We’ll talk later,” Josie said, heading out the door.

“Umm, a pleasure to meet you Alexander, but we need to talk to Josie, eh, Celine. Sorry to rush off,” Michael said, already heading out the door. Damien followed behind him. They rushed to catch up to Josie on the path.

“Josie!” Damien called behind her. “JOSIE!” They caught up to her and Damien grabbed her elbow. “Josie, please, wait.”

“D, sorry, this isn’t the best time. I’m busy trying to get things figured out so we can get back to normal. Now, please, let me go. Go back to the house. Read a book or something and go home on Monday.”

“No, Josie!” Damien said, “I will not accept that. No way!” Damien’s insistence surprised Michael.

“D, please, I can’t explain it now, I can’t but I definitely want you and Michael to go. I’m pleading with you to leave.”

“Why, Josie? This is beyond bizarre and I’m not leaving without you. I want you to come home with us.”

“I can’t come home yet, D, I can’t.”

“Why? Please, Josie.”

“There is nothing to worry about. But I can’t come home.” She turned to leave.

“Josie, come on,” he said, grabbing her arm again. “You can’t expect us to go home and leave you here. Do you realize how bizarre this looks to ANYONE on the outside of it?”

She pondered for a moment. “I realize how bizarre it is, yes. It’s as bizarre as it was to me when Gray first approached me but it makes sense, it does, but I can’t explain it. Now, please…”

“No, Josie,” Damien continued, “no. I’m beyond worried about you. I’m exceptionally concerned. This bizarre story about you being someone named Celine who that kid told us lived here when his mother was a kid, these people bringing you here, you going along with it, have they brainwashed you? Are they threatening you or someone in our family?”

“No and no. I’m not brainwashed. They are not threatening me. I am here of my own free will, believe it or not. And I have other things to do. Now, please,” Josie said, pulling away from Damien’s grip and heading off down the path.

Damien opened his mouth to call after her but gave up, surmising it would be useless. Michael clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Well, we’re right back where we started, still no information, but a terrible feeling that something is wrong.”

“Something is wrong,” Damien said, turning toward him. “And if Josie won’t tell us, then I’ll confront the guy who brought her here. One way or another we’re getting some answers. Come on!”

The new fire in Damien’s belly impressed Michael, and he followed him