Ebenezer stepped out into the fog. Then— RATTLE! Iron chains wrapped around a tall, pale figure. Ghostly green eyes glowed. His mouth opened.
The chains clanged louder. Ebenezer jumped back. He reached for his door handle and pulled himself inside.
"Go away!" Ebenezer called from his doorway. His voice shook. But the chains rattled closer.
Ebenezer pulled the door shut. The house was very quiet. Very still.
RATTLE! The ghost appeared at the window. Ebenezer dragged the curtain closed.
RATTLE-RATTLES! The ghost stood at the front door. Ebenezer ran for the stairs.
He reached the top of the stairs and shut his bedroom door. But the rattling grew louder. Louder still.
Ebenezer sat on his bed and stared at the floor. He thought about every word the ghost had said.
The fog pressed against the glass. The cold slid under his door. Something inside him shifted.
Ebenezer swung his legs off the bed. His feet touched the cold floor. He took a breath.
He stood up and walked toward the door. The candle on his desk flickered once.
And Ebenezer stood still, listening.