Name: The mystery of Harper House
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

Chapter 1 The trouble with maple street

If you'd asked twelve-year-old Danny Carter about his summer plans two weeks ago, he'd have shrugged and said, "Nothing much." After all, summers on Maple Street were pretty much the same every year: hot days, melted popsicles, and trying to dodge chores. But this summer? This summer was shaping up to be the most epic one yet-and not necessarily in a good way.

It all started with a dare.

"Bet you won't do it," said Tommy Greene, grinning wide like the Cheshire Cat. Tommy was Danny's best friend, but he had a knack for getting them both into trouble.

Danny squinted at the old, abandoned house at the end of the street. Everyone in the neighborhood called it the Harper House, though nobody really knew why. It had been empty for as long as Danny could remember, its peeling paint and broken shutters giving it a spooky, forgotten vibe.

"You're chicken," Tommy teased, flapping his arms and making clucking sounds.

"I'm not chicken," Danny shot back, though his voice wavered a little.

"Prove it."

Danny swallowed hard. The dare was simple enough: go up to the house, touch the front door, and run back. Easy, right? Except for the fact that the Harper House was rumored to be haunted.

"C'mon, Danny," urged Sarah, Tommy's little sister, who had tagged along. She was holding a half-eaten bag of Skittles and looked way too excited for her own good. "You're not scared, are you?"

"I'm not scared!" Danny said, louder this time, as if saying it out loud would make it true. He took a deep breath, wiped his sweaty palms on his shorts, and started walking toward the house.

The gravel crunched under his sneakers as he approached. Up close, the house was even creepier than it looked from the street. The windows were dark and empty, like hollow eyes, and the porch sagged in the middle, threatening to collapse under the slightest weight.

"Danny, don't forget to knock!" Tommy called out, laughing.

Danny rolled his eyes. No way was he knocking. He wasn't that stupid. He stepped onto the creaky porch, heart pounding in his chest, and reached out to touch the door. His fingers had barely brushed the wood when-

SLAM!

The door swung open, making Danny jump back so fast he tripped over his own feet and landed on the porch with a thud.

"Danny!" Sarah screamed.

But it wasn't a ghost or a monster standing in the doorway. It was a girl. A girl about their age, with wild red hair, freckles, and a mischievous grin.

"Who are you?" she asked, hands on her hips.

Danny blinked up at her, too stunned to answer. Behind him, Tommy and Sarah ran up the porch, their curiosity getting the better of them.

"I thought this place was abandoned!" Tommy blurted out.

The girl shrugged. "It's not. My name's Hazel. My dad just bought this place. We moved in last week."

Danny felt his cheeks burn. He'd just made a fool of himself in front of the new girl.

"Uh, sorry for, you know, trespassing," he mumbled, scrambling to his feet.

Hazel's grin widened. "No worries. I've been watching you guys from the window. You're pretty brave, coming up here."

Tommy elbowed Danny. "See? I told you it wasn't haunted."

"Yeah, right," Sarah muttered. "You were just as scared as Danny."

Hazel laughed. "You guys are funny. Want to come inside?"

The three of them exchanged nervous glances. The Harper House-or whatever it was called now-still gave off major creepy vibes. But Hazel didn't seem scared, so maybe it wasn't so bad.

"Sure," Tommy said, always the first to jump into anything.

Danny hesitated but followed. What could go wrong?

As it turned out, a lot.

You'll also like

Unstoppable Brilliance: She Has The World On A Leash

Nikos Boudin

5.0

Hidden for years by the state despite a fortune worth billions, Grace bounced through three foster homes. At her fourth stop, the wealthy Holden family showered her with care, sparking spiteful claims she was a despicable grifter. Those lies died when a university president greeted her. "Professor, your lab's ready." A top CEO presented a folder. "Boss, our profits soared by 300% this year!" An international hacker organization came to her doorstep. "The financial market would crash without you!" Colton, a mysterious tycoon, pinned her softly. "Fun's over. Let's go make some babies." Grace's cheeks flared. "I didn't agree to that!" He slid a black card into her hand. "One island per baby."

Invisible To Her Bully

Dea B

3.5

Unlike her twin brother, Jackson, Jessa struggled with her weight and very few friends. Jackson was an athlete and the epitome of popularity, while Jessa felt invisible. Noah was the quintessential "It" guy at school-charismatic, well-liked, and undeniably handsome. To make matters worse, he was Jackson's best friend and Jessa's biggest bully. During their senior year, Jessa decides it was time for her to gain some self-confidence, find her true beauty and not be the invisible twin. As Jessa transformed, she begins to catch the eye of everyone around her, especially Noah. Noah, initially blinded by his perception of Jessa as merely Jackson's sister, started to see her in a new light. How did she become the captivating woman invading his thoughts? When did she become the object of his fantasies? Join Jessa on her journey from being the class joke to a confident, desirable young woman, surprising even Noah as she reveals the incredible person she has always been inside.

Irresistible Seduction: Married For Deception, Loved For Real

Chickie Kertis

5.0

Five years into marriage, Hannah caught Vincent slipping into a hotel with his first love-the woman he never forgot. The sight told her everything-he'd married her only for her resemblance to his true love. Hurt, she conned him into signing the divorce papers and, a month later, said, "Vincent, I'm done. May you two stay chained together." Red-eyed, he hugged her. "You came after me first." Her firm soon rocketed toward an IPO. At the launch, Vincent watched her clasp another man's hand. In the fitting room, he cornered her, tears burning in his eyes. "Is he really that perfect? Hannah, I'm sorry... marry me again."

When The Unwanted Bride Becomes The Most Pampered Heiress

Finn Adler

5.0

On her wedding day, Marissa learned she wasn't her parents' real daughter. Once the true heiress returned, her fiancé and adoptive parents cast her off to a rural backwater-and into an arranged marriage. Only the "village" turned out to be the nation's most exclusive enclave, and her birth family led an elite dynasty that spoiled her rotten. Garages held rare supercars; vaults opened to couture and jewels. School or family business, she chose her pace. Her "rustic" husband proved lethal, loyal, and absurdly protective. Her ex crawled back, yet she cut him off cold, "Stay the hell away from me."

Dazzling Queen Unmasked: She Was Never Ordinary

Clara Ashford

5.0

Three years into marriage, Brett's past love returned from overseas. Without warning, Caylee received divorce papers. "I've treated you fairly, Caylee. You're too cruel to stay as my wife. Please leave," Brett said. She signed the papers and walked away, knowing her debt for Brett's help was already paid. After that, she entered high society and amazed everyone with her hidden identity. Months later, Brett called in tears, only to hear wedding music. A man replied, "My wife's pregnant. Just move on." Then Caylee's gentle voice came through. "Honey, the wedding is starting. Who is that?" He kissed her. "Just a wrong number."

Arranged Marriage: To Hear Your Voice

TheIllusionist

4.0

**Mature Content!** "I'm so sorry, Mr. Lawson, you can marry my daughter Marga but Sabrina is an exception." "Why? She's your daughter I thought you and my parents had already arranged this marriage. And I choose Sabrina. I won't marry anyone but Sabrina." "Then why Sabrina?" "Let's say that Sabrina and I have a special thing back then," Gabriel said with a little smile. Ferdinand frowned and was curious. "Well, she might deny it." Sabrina Mondragon Alvarez – is a mute rich woman. She's an introvert and hated getting along with rich people who always talk about senseless stuff. She was bullied by socialite but never they knew that behind that innocent-looking woman hides a strong and powerful aura. Being quiet doesn't mean weak but is something more dangerous than anything. Silence would lead all of her enemies to one place that can also be called danger. Soon, she'll have them in the place that she's secretly reserving for those who made her life and family miserable. She said to be someone who can't speak not until he came and chose her to be his wife. Gabriel Lawson - a rich powerful tycoon with a strong background. He fell in love with the woman he had a one night stand with and chose her to be his wife. He would do anything for her. And for those people who hurt her--they must pay a thousand folds.

The mystery of Harper House

Contents