The Haunted Castle’s Secret

2nd Place, 6th Grade

by Caroline Smith, Mill Springs Academy

Ella stared at the screen, playing the clip from her favorite movie again and again and again. It was always what she watched on Halloween–the classic horror movie The Haunted Castle, but why did it feel wrong this time? Ella kept on thinking she heard her name instead of Tennyson, the main character and victim, and she swore one time the killer looked directly at her, but that was probably her imagination, right? She scowled, thinking of her roommate Salena, who had straight up laughed in her face about this. 

Speaking of which, Ella thought, here she comes. 

“Well hello there. Still worrying about that dumb horror movie?” Salena said. 

“Shut up!” Ella yelled back. 

Salena laughed, in an annoying, shrill way, and said, “Whatever you say. Could you leave the room for a second? I need to take a phone call.” 

Before she could finish her sentence, however, Ella was already storming off. 

The nerve of her! she thought. 

In the other room, she heard hushed voices. Suspicious hushed voices. Still fuming but equally curious, Ella pressed her ear against the wall. Ella thought she’d heard that voice but…. It couldn’t be! 

“….going great. I suspect we could do it now, unless it’s too early.” 

That horribly familiar voice snapped at Salena, obviously impatient about something. “I’ve been waiting for this my whole, miserable life! I am not going to be delayed because of a coward like you!” 

Even without visually seeing it, Ella could tell that Salena was cowering. “Okay, okay! So, now?” 

She couldn’t listen anymore. It made her feel sick, and an awful theory formed in her head. But then again, it still couldn’t be true, right? Without a moment’s warning, her roommate rushed in, shaking but with an annoyed expression on her face. 

“It’s your turn to wash the dishes. Do them now if you want anything to eat on,” Salena barked. 

“But,” Ella replied, “Isn’t it-” 

“Now!” Salena shrieked. 

She sighed, followed Salena, and then it happened. Tennyson, her favorite horror movie’s main character, was staring at her from the TV. 

“Let’s get this over with. We won’t need introductions. I’m tired of dying every time someone watches this idiotic movie I’m stuck in. You are going to take my place, okay?”

Tennyson paused, then said, “I was like you once. Confused on why a movie character was talking to me. Maybe you’ll do this one day too. Ooooo, I’ve never noticed how nice this apartment was. I can’t wait until we trade places. Such nice hardwood floors! Alright, this is getting boring. Salena, shove, what’s her name, Ellen? No, Ella right? Yep, Ella. Salena, shove Ella forward.” 

Not even a second later, Salena pushed her into the TV, before Ella could even reply. And no one ever saw Ella again, except for on TV, of course, but they won’t realize that. How do I know this? Well, I am Ella. And it’s my turn to trade places with you.