Free House of Memories by Benjamin Hulme-Cross, Nelson Evergreen

Chapter 4
The Truth
    Mary felt scared. “We have to go,” she said. “We don’t know you.”
    â€œDon’t you?” said Arak. “I think you do.”
    She turned to Edgar. “Edgar, you said there was someone with you. Who is he?”
    Mary stared at her. “Edgar didn’t say it was a man. And how do you know Edgar’s name?”

    Arak didn’t answer that. She said, “Do you remember this house, my dears?”
    â€œWe think we have been here before. But we don’t know when,” Edgar said.
    â€œI’m glad you remember,” said Arak. “Now, tell me about the man who left you here.”
    â€œHe didn’t leave us!” Mary shouted.
    â€œYes, he did. We’re here, and he’s not,” Edgar said.

    Arak said, “Is this man Mr Blood, the Dark Hunter?”
    Edgar nodded.
    â€œI thought so,” said Arak. “Listen, my dears. Mr Blood is not what you think. He says he is a good man. But as long as you are with him, you are in danger.”
    Edgar thought about all the evil beasts and monsters that Mr Blood had fought. It was true. He and Mary were always in danger.

    â€œYou still haven’t told us how you know about us,” said Mary.
    The old woman gave her a kind look. “Sit down, my dear. I will tell you the truth about you and Mr Blood now. But it will be hard for you to hear it.”
    Mary did not sit. “I don’t want to listen to you,” she said. “Mr Blood is like our father.”
    Edgar said, “Let’s hear what she has to say. What harm can it do?”
    â€œEdgar, this doesn’t feel right,” Mary said. “Something bad is going on. We should leave.”
    Edgar was angry. “I want to know what Arak has to say! I’m staying.”
    â€œIf Mary wants to leave, we must let her,” said Arak. “I don’t want to keep her here against her will.”
    Then Arak gave a shrill laugh. “Not that I could do that, of course. I’m only a poor old woman.”
    Mary ran to the door and pulled it open. Then she screamed.

Chapter 5
Trapped

    Mr Blood stood a few steps away from the house.
    He was still as a stone. It was as if he had frozen as he ran towards the house. Mary knew he was under a spell.
    â€œWhat have you done to him?” Mary turned to Arak. “It was you, wasn’t it? You put a spell on him. Who are you? What do you want from us?”
    Arak said nothing. She began to walk in slow circles around Edgar’s chair.
    Edgar tried to get up. But his legs and arms would not move. He could only sit still and stare at her.
    It must be a spell! He felt like a fly in a spider’s web.
    As she walked, Arak began to talk.
    â€œYears ago, I took care of two small children. You two children. I fed you, and I loved you, and I taught you. I taught you to be strong. You were very strong,” she said, looking at Mary.
    â€œAnd I taught you to listen to your feelings. That was your gift, my dear.” She touched Edgar’s cheek.

    â€œI don’t know what you mean,” Mary said.
    â€œLook at my hand,” said Arak.
    On the back of Arak’s left hand was a small tattoo of a spider. It was just the same as the tattoos on Edgar and Mary’s hands.

    The old woman kept talking. “One day a wicked man called Mr Blood stole my two dear children from me. At last I have got you back.”
    â€œNo!” Mary shouted. She ran out of the door, towards Mr Blood.
    â€œHe can’t help you, my dear. I’ve made sure of that!” Arak smiled at Edgar. She looked very evil. “Did you know, some spiders eat their own children?”

    Outside the house, Mary shook Mr Blood. He didn’t move. She didn’t know how to break the spell.
    Mr Blood was holding a sack in his hand. Mary took a closer look at it. Something in the sack moved.
    She pulled Mr Blood’s fingers open and took the sack.

    â€œHe