They couldn't believe their eyes. They hadn't expected this.

"Maybe her house is beyond this." said Airin. And they began to walk ahead. After few steps, Jessy stopped. Then slowly she moved towards a tombstone. Others followed the lead. On the tombstone it was written.

Isabelle James Parker
Born on: 02-05-2008
Died on: 22-06-2017

None of them talked for a while. They were too shocked to talk. Alby bent over and picked up something. That was when everyone woke up from their shock. They couldn't believe that Bella was already dead when they met her.

It was a diary. Alby opened it and there it was written :

"Belongs to Isabelle Parker"

They looked at each other. Without saying a word Alby walked back and the others followed.

Once they reached their bikes, Alby said, "My parents are travelling today. If you can come for a sleepover, we can read the diary together. If we are going to take turns, it's going to take a long time for us all to finish it."

They all agreed and went home. Airin and Jessica made their own excuses and got their permission for sleepover. Ryan didn't have any problems especially after the news came out. His parents thought if he and Alby would stick together they might come up on the news again. They all met up at the park and then went to Alby's house together.

Maria sensed something wrong. She thought that they were upto something. It was after their last get together that all four of them made the top news. She could also read Alby's face but didn't mention anything. She just tried to be normal. They didn't talk much and had an early dinner. They retired to Alby's bedroom upstairs very soon. All this made Maria really confused. She decided to stay awake and watch them. She also prepared herself in case she had to follow them out of the house halfway through the night. Little did she know that they had other plans for the night.

All four them were sitting on Alby's bed. They decided to take turns to read the diary entries aloud. They made sure that their voice wasn't heard outside the room although they knew that Maria wouldn't try to spy on them when they were safe inside the room.

Ryan began reading:

02-05-2017

Today was my birthday. It was the best birthday ever. Dad tied a swing for me in the back yard. It was so fun playing on it.

You are one of the gifts that I got. I am so happy that now I have you to talk to. Since my dad got transferred here, I lost my friends. This place is so lonely. There is no one around. It seems that I will have to get used to this place. Dad told me that I will be going to Angelwood High school from next academic year. I am looking forward to that day. I will be having a lot of friends again. But don't worry. You will be my best friend forever.

The next few entries were also short and included more or less of her loneliness. She spent most of her time on the swing. Her dad was always busy with work. They had moved only two weeks ago and her mom was busy with the house trying to settle down. Her mom liked gardening and she could see her mom in the garden from her swing.

They skipped a few pages. But they didn't find anything interesting. They skipped a few more. Then Airin stopped at a page and began reading.

02-06-2017

I am feeling so scared. I have no one else to tell. I know my secret is safe with you.

Today some people came home. Dad was at work. Mom was in the kitchen. I was playing on the swing when I heard noise of a vehicle. I rarely heard noises in the neighbourhood. I ran to the house and saw two men coming to our house. I ran back to the kitchen to tell my mom but she was already at the door.

One man was tall and had a bad scar on his left forehead. He was talking with my mom. I was about to go back to my swing when I heard raised voices. The men were shouting at my mom. I felt so scared. They left as soon as they came. I asked mom why they were shouting and she told me I had nothing to worry. But I know she is hiding the truth from me.

When dad came home at night, I heard her telling him about it. She sounded scared. When I walked in, they just changed the subject.

I know there is something going on. I hope nothing will happen and I won't see the men again.

When she finished reading, she looked up. Alby quickly got up and went to his cupboard. He came back with a newspaper cutout. It was about the criminals they had helped to catch. Alby was pointing to the picture of the three men beside the article. The man on the right had a deadly scar on his left forehead.

Realisation dawned it. They were reading about the men who was behind the haunted house. Below their picture, it stated that they were also behind the murder of Inspector James and his wife.

"Bella was the daughter of Inspector James." said Jessica.

"I remember reading somewhere that she was found the next day after her parents death. Police had concluded it to be a suicide. I didn't search more about it. " said Airin.

"But inspector James and his wife died in a car accident. I remember seeing the news." added Ryan.

Alby corrected him "That was what they thought initially. But later police found out that it was a planned accident. I heard inspector Davis talking to dad."

"We can search more about it. Now let us continue reading and finish this diary before we sleep." said Jessy

Just then, someone knocked on their door. Alby went and opened it. It was Maria with some snacks and drinks. "I thought you were upto something when you all got together. But this time, I am mistaken. So it's really about some assignment for school. It must be really an important one if you all are worried about it too much. " Maria paused. "Don't stress too much to finish the reading today itself. Tomorrow is Sunday. You have all the day to complete your work. And you can count on me if you needed any help. " Maria reassured them. She smiled at them and left.

"She must have heard you, Jess" said Alby. He continued, "Maria sleeps late and wakes up late especially as mom and dad is not here. So let's get some sleep and get up early to continue reading. I don't want her to think that I am up to something."

He looked at Jessica and Airin and added, "You can sleep in the guest room which is next door."

Jessy and Airin looked at each other. "I won't be able to sleep even if I tried without knowing what happened to Bella and her parents. So let's take a break and have these snacks. I am sure Maria is convinced that we are not upto any mischief. We will keep our voice lower than last time." said Jessy.

Alby gave in. Deep in his mind, he also knew that he couldn't get sleep too.

*Wow! I made it to 4 chapters in a day.

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