Dare House

Lao/Dare House/14

Dare HouseAlvie, are you listening to me?

The morning light peeked through the kitchen window creating dancing figures on the kitchen linoleum. The clanking of dishes in the sink, the water running, and the gentle tone of his mothers voice blended into one drone, and Alvie Sparks lost her somewhere between, You shouldnt hang out with those boys and to me?

Sorry, Ma, Alvie said. That was the best answer he could muster and for once it happened to be true. Alvies mother continued head down over the sink, arms in the soapy depths determined to, as Alvies father would say, ...rub the pretty right out of the porcelain. I just wish you wouldnt get into so much trouble, dear. And now look at

your knee. Your father will probably have something to say as well.

Alvie was about to say his father wouldnt have minded, but he thought it better to keep quiet.

Alvie moved his gaze from his mother down to the fresh scab on his right knee. Its been three days, shouldnt this start peeling by now? Alvie wanted it to peel, wished it to peel. He dared it. He imagined himself picking and pulling at it until a portion of his sticky, oozing knee muscle became exposed. He would terrify his mother and awe his friends that he could sustain so much pain. No one would call him a coward. Alvie wanted to redo his last week of school before summer. He actually wanted to redo the whole 8th grade, but figured that was too much to even pretend to ask. The day it happened, all he could remember before the hard drop and the proceeding school yard laughter was Mike Reilly looking down on him and mouthing the word Coward. Suddenly, his fresh scab became itchy, he was pulled from his memory and he gently scratched around the pink edges of the scab. Dear, dont do that. Give it time to heal.

The light through the kitchen window hit his mothers auburn hair and highlighted her cheek and part of her eye. For a moment she looked like she was wearing some exquisite masquerade mask, the kind Alvies grandmother would show him in her dusty books when he was 7 years old. Most of the masks had an air of menace that gave him nightmares. Long claw like noses, distorted and melting frowns, swirls of deep ruby reds melted with pitch black shapes, expressions he couldnt understand. Stupid masks. I was a coward even when I was little, Alvie thought. Alvies lanky frame moved across the yard of their modest home on Station Avenue. His legs moved at a steady pace and the rest of him followed. He walked slightly hunched with his head down and he started his familiar habit, his summer ritual of sliding his hair behind his ear every 5 minutes. It wasnt very long, just long enough to be annoying. As it was the start of summer his parents didnt bug him about getting a haircut. He crossed the street and weaved around rusted jalopies, long abandoned and made it halfway past Station Avenue when Jerry Milton joined him. Jerry had to walk a few paces faster to keep up with Alvie who never slowed down, causing him to awkwardly slow down and speed up his pace until he could find Alvies rhythm. Hey, so what are we doin today? I dont know, maybe go down to Ketchs place and hang out, Alvie said.

I was thinking we can hang out and get some soda pop. My parents

gave me some money and I can get us all some. What do you think?Soda pop? Yeah, sure. I dont care.

Alvie thought they must have appeared very contrasting figures from afar. His long body was vastly different from Jerrys small square frame. Despite being from the same side of town their clothing was vastly different. Alvie had thrown on jeans, a white shirt, and some scuffed sneakers. Jerry had chosen to dress in a blue polo shirt, grey flannel pants, and penny loafers. Adopting the habit of his parents, Jerry always took care with what he would wear by choosing it the day before. During a camp out in Ketchs yard, Alvie, Ketch, and Glen Porter had all watched Jerry through the living room window after he finished brushing his teeth. He gently folded a black polo shirt and trousers across the back of a chair and tucked white socks in his shoes that were neatly lined up under the chair. Alvie figured Jerrys parents couldnt afford the best house in town, but they made sure their kid would be the best dressed in Linebridge Junior High. When Jerry came back out, the boys continued to talk about monster movies, baseball, and the strange mole on Mrs. Carpenters face that they swear would grow or shrink on any given day predicting how much homework they would receive.

It smelled like summer to Alvie. Walking towards March Court the aroma of barbeque entered his nostrils and created a painful stab in his belly. With only a piece of toast in his stomach after running out of the house, he was hoping Ketchs home was the source of that sweet summer smell. The homes in March Court intimidated the trees with their imposing grace and stature. They were beautiful but Alvie was more impressed with the grass in each lawn. The Home of Drake, as the boys dubbed it, had the best lawn in March Court, and no doubt in the whole town. It was the greenest and softest lawn around. During their camp out, they were all able to tiptoe at night barefoot from their tents in the yard to the bathroom in the house. Alvie had likened it to a fluffy carpet; squishy and ticklish at the same time and not a bald spot to be found.Ok, Ill wait here while you knock, Jerry said. Jeez, its hot, so tell him to hurry up, will ya?

Why dont you just come in with me then if youre so hot?

Were just gonna go in, get all comfortable, and come right back outside. No point.Alvie sometimes wanted to say things to Jerry, to make him stop acting like such a baby, but he figured he was no one to talk. Instead, Alvie sighed and walked to the double French doors and rang the bell.

Ketch greeted him at the door with his easy smile and no questions. He drifted passed Alvie and leapt the four steps from the door to the walkway and landed with a loud thud from his loafers. Jerry shook his head at the display like a scolding grandmother.

You know you can hurt your ankles like that, not to mention your

knees.

Hey J-Bird! I saw something in Popular Science about worry-warts. The

little veins in their temples pump so hard that it sends a rush of blood to the heart, gives them a heart attack and sends that blood back to their head. You know what happens then? No. What happens? And stop calling me that!

Their heads explode. Its not so bad since theyre already dead from the heart attack and all, Ketch said. And why not J-Bird. Your mom calls you that.

Youre not my mother! And thats a fat lie if I ever heard one. That wouldnt even be in Popular Science it would be in some medical magazine or something.

Well, they were describing a helmet you can wear to prevent that sort of thing. It constricts the temples and doesnt let you see anything so you dont worry. Isnt that great, Alvie? Huh, isnt it?

Alvie smiled back at Ketch and nodded just wanting to get on with the day.

Yeah, sure Ketch, thats great.

Thats pretty funny. Im sure it took you awhile to think of that one.The boys finally started to make their way out of March Court. The sun became a relentless stifling heat that choked any breeze heading their way.

Dont be sore, J. Im still your best friend despite your lack of scientific breakthrough knowledge.

Alvie was sure if Jerry wasnt sore already, he was after that little comment. First, Jerry hated for anyone to think he didnt know something. Second, the boys were all good friends since 5th grade, but Alvie had known Ketch since 1st grade. He had known him before the boating accident in Ketchikan, Alaska where Dennis Drake almost drowned but emerged from the frigid cold blue water alive as Ketch. The day it happened, Alvie felt it but knew his friend was fine and would be back from vacation with his familiar smile and stories to tell. They shared a connection. They had never really talked about it but it was something all the boys knew. The day Alvie was shoved to the ground by Mike Reilly landing painfully and awkwardly on his knees directly in front of Mike instead of on his bottom; Ketch was there to help him up before the entire school had seen. Ketch was as tall as Alvie, but slightly more muscular with striking features and neatly trimmed black hair. Shove that dare up your ass and never call a friend of mine coward! Ketch had said. Mike didnt respond, just laughed and walked away.

Stop thinking about that idiot. Hes not worth it.

Ketchs voice broke the silence as they made their way to the General Store for some Cokes. Alvie didnt say a word, just nodded.

We have something to do after this, you guys. We need to meet Glen at Dare House.

What? Why? Mike will be there. You told him to shove the dare up his you-know-where, Jerry said.Shut up, J. You know why!

They both turned to Alvie who still hadnt said a word. He took a sip of his Coke and let the drops of condensation on the bottle run down his neck and mix with the salty beads of sweat. They had decided it was too far to walk to Ashton Road, so they each went back home to collect their well worn bicycles. The Dare House was an old colonial brick house that had been around when their grandparents were giving headaches to their great-grandparents. It was almost directly in the center of the town, so it bisected the small town of Wading, Virginia into two distinct halves; the poor area around Station Avenue and the wealthy area Ketch and Mike lived in. The house was surrounded by majestic hundred year old trees. They had long lush limbs that swayed back and forth in the wind commanding the sunlight and shadows between their leaves and branches. A canopy of shadows blanketed the house. Wiping away drops of sweat from his forhead, Alvie noticed the rays of sunshine didnt seem to touch the place, so it was probably cool inside.

He couldnt remember too many details about the houses history, not that anyone in the town could anymore. He did know it was built even before Wading got its name. It was the oldest house in the neighborhood, but that didnt mean it was the most well taken care of. As the boys approached the house they looked around for Glen or Mike, and Alvie just stared up at the house. He tried to remember specific details and terms he had read when the house was featured in some newspaper article and the class had to write reports about it. The older colonial wooden section of the house had a mossy wood shingle roof and was only two stories. The wooden frame was collapsed into itself and had a large hole in the roof as if it was shot by a large cannon. Around the 1800s, a large brick addition was added to the home by the original owners whose only descendents were long since a dusty memory to the oldest residents in Wading. The brick half of the house was so vastly different it was an odd sight. This half had aged more gracefully. The brick walls had an intricate corbel cornice under the eaves of the gabled roof that was still intact. All the windows and doors were topped with elaborate arches. Alvie thought this place was from a different time. They didnt belong there. No one did. Thats why the house was abandoned for so long. Not only was it expensive to fix, but it didnt want to be owned.

It was called several different names: Dare House, Dare Manner, and Dare Plantation. No matter what it was called, Alvie thought it was just about stupid boys playing stupid games and trying to scare each other. He had been humiliated by not accepting Mike Reillys dare to enter the house and remove an item from inside, whatever he could grab and run with. According to those brave and stupid few who had entered the house there were items still there that were too damaged for the owners to take with them, so things were just left there strewn about. He figured Ketch and Glen had accepted the dare for him after the incident and thats why they were there now.

never call a friend of mine coward, Ketch had said and Alvie was sure he meant it. Now Alvie had to prove he really wasnt a coward.

Hey, there they are, Jerry said, pointing towards the back of the wooden section of the house.Alvie felt a sudden pang of fear and imagined himself turning around, going home and forgetting the whole thing. He took a big breath and pretended to swallow the fear imagining it floating around like a little boat in a whales belly.

Hello ladies! I see your girlfriend made it, Ketch, Mike said.

Cut the crap, Mike!

Glen was sitting on the brick stoop eating an apple and looked up at Alvie with a forlorn glance that didnt seem like a good sign.Want an apple? I found a whole basket sitting in the back here while I was waiting for you guys. Glen reached into the basket and tossed an apple to Alvie who wasnt really in the mood to eat anymore.

No thanks. You found a basket?

Yeah, it was just

Ok ladies, lets get this started so I can let you get back to sewing, Mike interrupted. Im sure youre all eager to hear the rules. So first you already know you have to bring something out. It can be a piece of wall paper or dead cat for all I care. Second, you have to go to the top of the brick section of the building and wave out of the window so I know you made it. Plus, you have to stay there for 5 minutes then come back out. Last, one person can go with you.Alvie and Ketch looked and each other and before a smile could creep up on their faces Mike continued.And I get to choose that one person. I choose Jerry. Oh, and he has to wave from the top, too.

They all turned to Jerry who looked like he had wet himself during a class presentation.

No way! In order to go to the brick section you have to walk to the second story of the wooden section. You know the floors can barely support one person let alone two at a time, Alvie said.Well, I guess your gonna have to go one at a time or not at all. Thats the deal, Mike said.Alvie knew Jerry was scared shitless, but there was no other way. This was beyond Mike now. He could see it in the eyes of every kid that was there that day and he saw it in the eyes of his friends. He didnt want this to follow him to high school. Things in Wading had a funny way of lasting.He turned to face Jerry and before he could say a word Jerry nodded.

Wait, youll do it? Alvie asked.

If this is the only way, I guess.

How touching! Can we get on with it please?

Alvie shot Mike a glance and knew whatever he would take out of the house would end up in Mikes face.

The boys entered through the back of the wooden section where a small window used to be. The floor groaned under their weight and they looked at each other.

It should be fine. We just have to walk slowly and not too close together when we get higher up. Once we get to the brick section, were good, Alvie said.

Jerry nodded and they continued to the second floor. The stairs had a dreadful creek and the narrow space smelled moldy. Alvie looked up at the gaping hole in the roof and how rotted the wood looked around them. It was a wonder they hadnt fallen through the floor and into the basement yet.

Jeez, it stinks up here, Jerry said from the top of the stairs.

Look how the floor sags in the middle, Alvie said.

They both backed away from the sagging floor and walked around the wooden debris from the roof. Alvie pointed to the start of the brick addition and the stairs to the third floor. The brick addition stairs were even worse that the first set of stairs. They were small and narrow so they had to walk sideways to go up. They were almost completely vertical so the boys had to hold on to each step for extra support as they moved up so they wouldnt fall into each other.

They made it to the third floor and from there they had one more narrow set of stairs to reach the top section of the house.

Alvie was surrounded by cobwebs and an odd odor he couldnt quite place, which seemed more disturbing than the odor itself.

Ok, theres the window. Ill walk there first and wave. Then you go.

Jerry nodded timidly. It was a change for Alvie to see him so quiet. It was as if all his fear would escape his mouth if he said a word.Alvie walked slowly towards the window and with each step the old floorboards creaked and groaned. It was disturbing for him to see the floor visibly move underneath his feet. He made it to the window which he had to wipe with his sleeve to see through. He looked down at Ketch and Glen who had moved to the front of the house. They pointed up toward him and finally Mike looked up with a vacant look on his face that made Alvie want to laugh.

Did they see you? Jerry asked.

Yeah, they did. I guess its your turn.

After Alvie made it back, Jerry followed his same path to the window. He waved and with a relieved sigh turned toward Alvie. Alvie started to look around the room for something to take with him since they had to wait about 5 minutes up there anyway. Jerry started to walk away from the window and follow Alvie when he felt a tug on his pant leg. He was thrown off balance and his left leg ripped through the floorboard making a terrible sound. He glanced down and then back towards Alvie. Alvie, startled by what sounded like thunder and lightning trapped in the house, looked towards the center of the room where Jerry stood terrified. All the blood had drained from his face and he was standing in a sort of grotesque leg lunge, far from what they did in physical education. Jerrys left foot and ankle had disappeared into the floor boards. His right leg was far behind him and he was standing on his collapsed right ankle paralyzed. AlvieGodHelp me!

The words came out strained and unnatural and Alvie didnt want to hear his name. Alvie was terrified and had to shake himself awake. He didnt dare go near Jerry for fear of the added weight on the floor. He looked around him and noticed Jerrys right shoelace had gotten caught in a crevice where the floorboards were starting to expand and buckle from the humidity. He must have lost his balance causing him to slam down with his left leg, breaking through the wood and all his weight landed on his right ankle. Something has to be broken, Alvie thought. He had a million thoughts, and none where to stay in the house.

Alvie moved towards the stairs.

Jerry, I have to go get help. I promise Ill be right back!

Jerry whimpered like a baby and tears started to roll down his cheeks. He shook his head and made a futile move to remove his right shoe. No! Jerry. Just stay there. Ill help you.

Alvie took off his sneakers and slowly walked towards Jerry, stepping on floorboards that looked the sturdiest. Alvie gently removed Jerrys shoe that was tied down like an anchor and now a permanent addition to the house. Alvie used all his strength to lift Jerry out of the floorboard and wrapped his arms around his shoulders.

Just put your weight on my shoulder.

With each step Jerry winced and moaned and the house cried back. They finally made it to the first story of the wooden section and Alvie gently started to help Jerry over the window when Jerry craned his neck over Alvies shoulder and pointed behind them.

Monster!Alvie turned around and a dark figure emerged from the deepest shadow of the house and was headed towards them.

Alvie shoved Jerry over the window as fast as possible and ducked through the window just as the shadow figure reached out with grimy thorny hands. Alvie landed on the grass and looked up at the darkened window. For a moment he thought the trees had become alive and were punishing them for trespassing. The figure poked its head out of the window and in the light Alvie realized it wasnt a horrible shadow monster, just a homeless squatter living in the house.

Asshole kidsStay out! the man said and melted back into the shadowed house.

Alvie looked down from the window and noticed blood running from the brick steps to the grass and followed it to Jerry who was beside him. Jerry had bashed his head on the stoop and rolled off the steps down to the grass. Blood had rapidly filled a gap in the base of his head and trickled through his hair and neck down to a bloody pool underneath him. His hair was matted with blood that had already dried from the unrelenting heat. Alvie looked down at Jerrys red and swollen ankle and thought about the nightmares you never wake from until you try to speak, twitch and fight your way out. Alvie wanted Jerry to fight them out of this nightmare. But Jerry didnt twitch and didnt speak. Alvie had to fight for them both. The boys had run from around the front of the house when they heard the homeless man yell and were now watching Alvie and Jerry like a Friday night horror movie on TV.

Would you stop gawking and help me!

Any other moment Alvie would have panicked, he would have run. It was his fault Jerry went in that house and now it was his fault that he had landed on the stoop like he did. He was going to fix this he thought, somehow.

Glen, ride as fast as you can to the closest neighbor and tell them to call for help. Ketch, help me stop his bleeding.

Ketch bent down next to Alvie who removed his white shirt and wrapped it around Jerrys head. It immediately filled with blood like an inkblot on a napkin. Ketch removed his shirt and created a second layer around Jerrys head.

Alvie looked up at Mike who had the same stupid look on his face. Alvie reached for Jerrys left shoe, the only one left and removed it.

What are you doing? Mike said.

Alvie threw Jerrys bloodied shoe at Mike, which landed right on his face.

I forgot to give you that. Its from the house!

Mike held his bruised nose and didnt say a word. Alvie looked back down at Jerry and held his hand.

Youll be fine, J. I promise.

Alvie felt a slight squeeze from Jerry and really did believe things would be ok.