The Bone Man

As Sam walked home from school that afternoon. Halloween went through his mind. Will I be able to go out this Halloween? Should I go out this Halloween? These thoughts went through his mind every year.

As he walked on. He looked ahead. That house. The house that was only a few from his own. The house that was passed by quickly, especially around this time of the year. He dreaded having to walk past it everyday after school.

Then he heard a wind chime. He knew it wasn't the typical sounding wind chime. It was more of a sound of a few bones clanking together in the wind. Everyone knew how Mr. Peters was. No one ever saw him. It only was his house that made him known to the neighborhood. All because....

Hey Sam!

"Oh hey Alex. What's up"?. Sam replied

"Not much here. Just wondering about Halloween this year. As I noticed you are too". Alex said.

"Yeah... your just lucky you don't have to pass Mr. Peters everyday to get home". Sam said in a shaky voice.

"I know". Alex said in a confident voice. Are we going out this weekend?

"I was just thinking about that". Sam said

"Well.. you know what goes on over there at Old Man Peters place." Alex said with a scared tone

Yeah, all that.....

Sam! Sam!

Looking down the street, he saw his mom.

"Coming mom"! He yelled back.

Hurry I have to get to work!

"Alright mom"! Sam yelled back again

"Alex call me in a few". Sam said.

"Okay Sam". Alex replied

Sam headed back home. Slowing as he passed Mr. Peters. There on the fence, in the trees, and on the porch were wind chimes. Wind chimes made of bones! Just then Sam saw a shadow pass by the window. Sam broke into a run for his house.

As he walked in, his mom was on her way out. Sam, lock the doors, dinners in the refrigerator, Dad will be home this evening, and I love you.

As he headed for the TV, the phone rang. Thinking it was Alex, he answered. All he heard was heavy breathing. He slammed the phone down. With a huge gulp, he told himself it was just Alex playing a joke on him. After an hour of TV, he got bored. He called Alex to come shoot hoops.

As the played and talked it became evening. They sat there drinking sodas. When the they heard it!

That clunky old Volkswagen Bug. As it got closer and passed. All the boys saw was that same old silhouette, Mr. Peters.

They knew he was out on his Halloween haunting escapade. They ran inside, hearing the chimes clanking together as they went. Every Halloween everyone knew dogs went missing and stray cats. People, well it was never known.

They conspired to go next door and get proof of this, with the wind chimes.

Parents always in disbelief of the children's accusations and Sam had to figure something out before Halloween. Not one more year of every child being terrified of going out to trick or treat. The boys snuck in black clothes over to Mr. peters. Closer and closer. Trying to choose which one would be the one to grab the evidence. Sam ended up being the brave one. He ran in the yard and with a flash light skimmed over all the bone chimes. Grabbing the nearest one, he heard in the distance, rattling and clanking, Old Man Peters!

Just then Alex yelled," Come on Sam, hurry"!

Sam burst into speed, rounding the fence, on Alex's heels. Just as they went in the door and locked it, Mr. Peters drove by.

Dad, dad, look. What is that, he replied. As the boys explained and got him believing. Sam's dad immediately picked up the phone and called the police.

After about 20 minutes or more, the police arrived. All three explained the story and showed the proof they had. The police finally decided to check it out. After a grueling 45 minutes. They returned to Sam's house. They replied with puzzled voices. There is no sign of Mr. Peters. His house doesn't look touched car in the garage and every room is empty. Nothing out of the ordinary no bodies, animals, nothing. Just he bone chimes. We will have police searching the neighborhood for him.

Alex and Sam looked at each other with terrified faces.

The next couple days passed and no sign of Mr. Peters. Every child heard the news. With delight everyone went out to trick or treat.

That was the last they ever heard or saw of Mr. Peters, ' The Bone Man'.

By Sarah Morris