Literary Journal Issue#5 2011 - Cranbrook School

BENCHMARK
Write-a-Book-in-a-Day
An excerpt from
Terror Amongst the Trees continued
‘Aunty, you really cannot continue to live here. The walls
are old and weathered and the floorboards have become a
safety hazard,’ Gerald insisted.
‘Nonsense, dear, I’m perfectly happy here and have no
intention of moving,’ Elizabeth responded, ‘Besides, your
uncle and I have lived here for many years now, longer
than you’ve been alive, and nothing has ever happened
to us in that time.’
‘Albert has been dead for 15 years now.’
‘He still lives here, you know. He keeps me company
sometimes.’
There was a long silence. Nothing could be heard except
for the crackle of the fireplace. Shadows shimmered in
and out of focus on the peeling walls. Outside, the
gnarled branches of a tree scratched against the frosted
glass of the window pane. A wolf howled in the distance.
The low buzz of cicadas enveloped the quiet room. Finally,
after much contemplation, the nephew spoke.
‘We need to renovate this house. Perhaps some concrete
beams could secure the roof …’
‘Fiddlesticks! You simply don’t understand. This house
means more to me than it does to you or that silly wife
of yours. Modern replacements would wreck this
wonderful home.’
‘I’m afraid the matter has already been settled. I’ve
contacted a bricklayer to strengthen your foundations.’
‘That’s preposterous, dear! I simply won’t allow it. These
modern bricks will wreck the atmosphere of this place.’
‘I shall hear no more of the subject. Like I said, a bricklayer
has been contacted and should arrive later this week. I do
hope that you’ll be accommodating; he may need to stay
the night.’
21
The young man got up to leave, then turned around.
‘Of course any time you would consider moving to a
retirement village I would be only too happy to help.’
Then he left, leaving Elizabeth bewildered.
Hal Crichton-Standish, Blake Bullwinkel, Laurence Nettleton,
Jack Mowbray, Christopher Christian, Joseph Rossi
Year 8 Team – Mentos in Coke