فصل 01

CHAPTER ONE

Salem

Salem is a beautiful American town in Massachusetts, USA. Naumkeag, ‘‘City of Peace”, is its Indian name. But it is also called the “Witch City” because of the witch hangings of 1692. There are seven historical witch museums in Salem. They all have a lot of information on the witches and hangings of 1692.

Kelly and Megan Connor are two sisters. They come from San Francisco, California. The Connor family now lives in Salem because Mr Connor teaches French at the University of Boston.

Kelly is fourteen and Megan is thirteen. They go to Salem Middle School and they like it. Kelly has red hair and blue eyes. She’s tall and plays basketball for the school team.

Megan has fair hair and blue eyes. She is a champion swimmer. She is a member of the Salem Swimming Team.

It’s Friday, October 28, and Halloween is on Monday, October 31. Kelly and Megan are very excited because they love Halloween. This is their first Halloween in Salem, the “Witch City.”

“I think about Halloween all the time,” says I Megan.

“Me too!” says Kelly.

“We must buy a pumpkin and make a jack o’lantern,” says their mother. “Now finish your breakfast. It’s late! School starts in twenty minutes.”

The girls eat their eggs and drink their milk. Then they go upstairs to brush their teeth. They’re ready at quarter past eight.

“Goodbye, mom! Don’t forget to buy the pumpkin!”

“OK! Goodbye girls!”

Kelly and Megan always walk to school. They meet their friends Susan Garcia, Nick Lee and Bill Goldberg.

“I’m so excited about Halloween,” says Susan. Susan is Hispano-American. She is 13 years old and has long black hair. “This is the first time we can have a party without our parents!”

“We must find a place to have the party,” says Nick. He is 14 years old and he’s a good cook. His parents have a Chinese restaurant in Salem.

“Let’s see!” says Bill. “I can ask my grandmother.” Bill Goldberg is a handsome boy of 14. His favorite school subject is science. He lives with his grandmother.

“Susan, do you have a scary costume for Halloween?” asks Kelly.

“It’s a surprise! I can’t tell you,” says Susan.

“Do you believe in ghosts?” Bill asks.

“Yes!” they all say.

“Oh, I don’t!” says Bill. “Science can explain everything.”

“Really?” says Nick. “A lot of strange things happen on Halloween night. My grandparents come from China. They believe in ghosts and evil spirits too.”

Bill laughs.

“Do you remember the story of the old woman in the cemetery…”

“Oh, Nick, please don’t tell us again!” says Bill.

Nick smiles mysteriously. It’s 8.30 a.m. and the school bell is ringing.