https://steemit.com/fiction/@rlt47/short-story-haunted-house
HAUNTED HOUSE
“...and this is the living room”, directed James Proudfoot, the local estate agent, gesturing with his hands at a musty, dark, dilapidated, empty room on the South side of the house. “This place needs a lot of work," sighed Steven Crenshaw. “Yes, but is accounted for in the price”, countered Proudfoot. Crenshaw was Head of Social Services, had been tasked with exploring vacant properties in the district with a view to establishing childcare facilities. Crenshaw, seemingly doing a value estimate in his head, blurted out a “We’ll take it”. In a single motion, Proudfoot produced an offer to purchase and a pen, from nowhere it seemed – his inability to sell this property was an albatross around his neck; and he wanted to put this project to bed. “Um, just one last thing...” Proudfoot weaselled in, “...there are rumours that this house is haunted”. Crenshaw was an ardent pragmatist and he wasn’t going to let some supernatural mambo-jumbo stand in the way of a great deal. “Don’t worry about that, the 25 brats we intend housing here are quite capable of raising hell, on their own.” he chuckled. “Where do I sign?” He enquired and sealed the deal. As the men drove off down the dusty road, windows rattled, floorboards creaked and doors swung – in protest of the impending invasion.