Welcome to Dead House

Amanda and Josh visit the town of Dark Falls with their parents after their dad’s obscure uncle leaves him a free house in his will. When the family arrives, the kids protest because the house is dark and creepy, “as if it [is] hiding in the shadows of the gnarled, old trees that ben[d] over it” (4). Josh waits outside while their parents, Amanda, and the realtor tour the house. Inside, it’s much nicer, and Amanda falls in love with her new bedroom, which has a window seat and a walk-in closet. As she leaves, she sees a blonde-haired boy, who disappears. While her parents stay inside to talk to Mr. Dawes, the realtor giving them the tour, Amanda goes outside to tell Josh about the house, but Josh is gone.

Amanda searches the yard, but Josh is nowhere to be found. The family and realtor drive around the town, which is quaint but deserted. They finally find Josh at the cemetery, running haphazardly through the gravestones. Amanda stares, uncomprehending, until she realizes that “someone—or something—[i]s after him” (21).