Chapter 5The bell rang again. School is sure over this time. Ericca picked up my bags and waited for Melissa and Ryan in front of the candy shop near my house. She remember the appointment with them—to spend the afternoon in my house.She just felt someone wrapped an arm around her neck. She was completely freaked out. She wanted to scream but no sound came out.“Don’t move.” Erica heard a deep voice. She could feel the breath near her. She did not dare to move, she thought I was going to die. “Now,” the voice said coldly. “I want you to do as I say, I’m I understood?”“Ok, but what do you want?” Erica was being a coward, I know. But no one could be brave when one’s life was in a hand of another.“I don’t want much; just give me your Sun times. TODAY’s Sun times, and YOUR’S.” That sure made her shriek. Why did he want the newspaper? And he especially mentioned HER newspaper? She remembered the secret about the newspaper. But she only told it to Melissa and Ryan, how else could have heard?Obviously, she had never thought the someone behind her bench could overhear it.The arm around her neck is tightened. She must lose no time. “But who are you? Why do you want a normal newspaper?” She was earning time for herself. The person can’t do anything to her until he gets the Sun times.“Hey, tommy! What are doing? Let Erica go, you dumb bully!” Erica saw a stream of light. Melissa and Ryan was running to her.The person seems to be thunder stocked and let go of Erica’s neck suddenly.“It’s you Tommy! You gangster!” Erica cried. She chased Tommy along the way but Tommy was to fast for her. Erica got back to her friends, looking exhausted.“I don’t know how I offended Tommy; he is always being impassable with me!” Erica complained.“Maybe he got a crush on you and just wanted to catch your attention!” Ryan made a face.“Oh shut up Ryan! If so, I can say you have a crush on Amber. You were going to beat her up this morning. Didn’t you want to get her attention.” I teased back. This really works; no one likes rumors being spread about him and his enemies.“No, you shut up. How dare you say that! I hate Amber!” Ryan colored hotly.“Stop it. Both of you!” Melissa blew up.“Wow! What a nice house you’ve got.” Melissa admired.“It certainly looks good but some people say it is haunted, and that’s why we got it at a good price.” Erica didn’t believe in haunted houses. But she wasn’t sure Melissa doesn’t. Melissa is a pavid person.“R…Really?” Melissa paused a little as she asked. “Maybe I should go home, I am scared.”“Go if you admit you are a scary cat.” Ryan teased.Melissa stood where she was. She didn’t attend to move.“LINGINGINGING…….” The door bell rang. Melissa almost spited her lemonade. “What was that?” She cried uneasily. “That was just our door bell. I think it needs some repair. The sound is quite scary.” Ryan explained.Erica told Ryan to stay will Melissa while she get the door. Erica turned the doorknob gently and frowned. Much to her surprise it wasn’t anyone else, but Amber.“Amber, what are you doing here?” Erica was being very polite, “Why don’t you come in and…” And what she didn’t say.Amber walked in naturally, squeezing a warm smile to her face. “Erica, I am so sorry,” Her voice was getting so soft and melting. “I want to solve the mystery with you…Err….the teenagers…you know?”“How did you know about this?” Erica asked her anxiously.“Melissa told me.”“Ryan, I think it is Amber out there.” Melissa was trembling all over.“So what? She’s not going to swallow you.” Ryan and Melissa were on the first floor living room.“Err……Ryan, I’m kinda thirsty. Would you mind…”“Sure.” Ryan went off to the kitchen.When he got back, everything was not quite the same before. For example: Where is Melissa?Erica and amber heard a scream. They ran over, “Ryan, what’s wrong? Where is Melissa?”“Exactly.” Ryan ruminated. Amber rolled her her eyes dreadfully, “Maybe she was caught by the ghosts.”