Elizabeth Anderson #1

Elizabeth Anderson

By: Emma Ladner

Chapter One: Pete

I stepped off the wagon. The giant house of my uncle and aunt stood a few feet before me. The man handed me my bags and walked away. I opened the gate and closed it. The lawn was nice and green. The trees had leaves that looked like giant oaks. There were flowers and bushes and I saw rabbits nibbling on a rose. “Hi there.” I said. I sat down to the rabbit and pulled it into my lap. A shadow covered me and I gasped. I looked up. A man with blond hair and green eyes and was wearing jeans and a shirt saying 1851 on it. I screamed. “Don’t hurt me!” I screamed. I curled myself into a ball onto the ground. I sat there in a ball and when I looked up the boy was gone. I looked around. The boy was nowhere. I stood up and picked up my bags and ran to the house. A little fountain of a boy holding a bucket above his head was there. The water was coming from the bucket because it was tipped. I ran up to the porch and knocked on the door. “Hello?” I asked. Nothing. I knocked again. “Hello?” I asked. The door opened and before me stood a woman. She had black hair and green eyes. Her skin was pale and she wore a green gown. She looked like me. Just I was five. I waved. “Hello.” I said. She went down to my level and stared in my eyes. “Your Elizabeth.” She said. She stood up and smiled at me and took my hand. “Come in Elizabeth.” She said. We walked inside to an open room. There was two staircases leading up to one ledge. There were oil lamps lit and the chandelier above me was brighten. I followed her into the kitchen where five people were. “Hello.” I said. The maids curtsied. “Elizabeth these are our cooks.” She said. She pointed to the girl closet to me. She wore a black dress with a white apron like the rest. Her hair was brown with curls and her eyes were black. “This is Martha.” Said my aunt. She pointed to the next. “This is Carol.” She said. She pointed to the next one. “This is Mia.” Said my aunt. She pointed to the next. “Claire.” She pointed to the next. “Lucy.” She said. I looked around at all of them. They were making cookies and cake and hamburgers. I followed her into the library where an old lady stood. Her fingers were thin and her hair was white. She had green eyes. “This is your grandmother.” Said my aunt. I looked at her and she looked at me. “You remind me of your father.” She said. She gave me a hug and returned to her study. She walked into a room next door. A man with black hair and a beard and blue eyes sat at the big desk. The room was painted green and the desk was bright brown. There were two couches and an arm chair. There was another chandelier. “Thomas, this is our niece Elizabeth.” Said my aunt. The man looked at me. “You look so much like your father dear girl.” He said. He laughed. “Also I have something for you to keep. Your father gave it to me for safe keeping because he didn’t want these two things being lost or stolen.” He said. He picked up a silver locket with a “S” on it. And a photo was in his hand. He lifted my hair up and put the locket on me. I opened the locket. A woman with black hair and blue eyes was grinning at the camera. On the other side my father. He had a beard that attached to his mustache and side burns. He grinned at the camera. His eyes were gentle but my mother’s were way to gentle. She looked like a teddy bear. Wandering about to the place. “Don’t worry child.” She said. I smiled at her and closed the locket. My father handed me a photo with my parents and me in it. I was about a baby. “Thank you.” I said. He nodded. A man came in and took my stuff. “Excuse me, where are you taking my things?” I asked. “To your bedroom.” He said. He wore a little green hat. He went out of the room. “I shall show you to your room. Surely you want to rest.” Said my aunt. She led me up a staircase to a room. The room was huge. It was painted blue with a big picture of my mother and father. There was a white wardrobe with golden handles. My bed had a room that was white. The covers were white and so for my pillows. I felt like a princess. There was balcony. And then there was a window seat. The pillows were green and the seat was blue. The maids put my books onto my shelves since I was too little. And put away my clothes. I took my locket off and placed it in my white jewelry box that had gold on it. “Woof!” barked a dog from next door. I put the locket up and looked behind me. The door wasn’t open. I placed the photo on my desk and walked to the doors. I opened them. Next door a boy my age was playing with his dog. I watched. He looked up at me and waved. I backed away from the ledge. I slipped off my dress and pulled on my white one and climbed in my bed. I sat up grabbed my rag doll, Miley, and went to sleep. The maids closed my doors and lowered the light of the oil lamp and chandelier.

I woke up in the afternoon and pulled on my robe and slipped on my slippers. I walked out of my room and when the maids saw me emerge from my bedroom they went in to make my bed. I walked downstairs where my aunt and uncle were talking. “Ah, you are up I see.” Said my uncle. I nodded. “Yes, I had a pleasant sleep.” I said. “Well we are having lunch on the back porch. Go get some clothes on.” Said my uncle. I nodded and my uncle and aunt proceeded back to their conversation. I walked upstairs to my room and took out a blue dress with a dark blue sash. I slipped off my nightgown and robe and put my robe on my door and put my nightgown up. I put on the dress and tied the sash around my waist. I walked to my mirror and brushed my hair. I put on blue shoes and walked downstairs. The porch door was opened. I walked outside. Lunch was served; sandwiches of course with a little tea. I sat down. “Aunt Linda, I saw a boy in the front.” I said. “Probably one of the mowers dear.” Said my aunt. She took a bite of her sandwich. “No he was trying to kill me.” I said. I looked down at my sandwich and picked up and began eating it. “What did he look like?” asked my uncle. He burped. “Excuse me.” He said. He dabbed at his mouth with a napkin. “Well he had blond hair and he wore a shirt of the year 1851 on it.” I said. My aunt began crying. “What is wrong Aunt Linda?” I asked. My uncle brought me into the next room. The boy you saw was our son, your cousin. He died but we have no idea how. But how did you see him?” asked my uncle. “He just appeared.” I said. “Elizabeth look, do not go into the front without my permission, understood?” asked my uncle. “Yes sir.” I said. “Good.” Said my uncle. We sat down to eat lunch again but while I ate my lunch I wondered, how had Pete died? And how was I going to get to know his answer?

Chapter Two: The Missing Photo

In the middle of September I was upstairs in my room. It was raining outside and the boy I saw in August was outside doing yard work with his brothers. I was wearing a red dress with my locket. My hair was curled and I sat on my bed writing for my grade. “Elizabeth! Come down here!” shouted my uncle. “Coming!” I said. I left my quill in the ink bottle and walked downstairs. My uncle was at the library looking through a photo album. I stood in front of him. “Yes sir?” I asked. “Did you add photo to the gallery?” he asked. “No sir.” I said. “Well why is this here?” he asked. I walked behind him and looked at the picture. It was me, writing my essay. “I didn’t add that.” I said. “Oh well, dear go up into your room.” Said my uncle. I walked upstairs to my bedroom and sat on my bed writing my essay and looking around. The room was still and all I could here was my uncle dancing to some music. The rain was falling on my window. The clock chimed one o’clock. I capped my ink bottle and put my quill away and looked at my essay.

About Farms

By: Elizabeth Anderson

I smiled at it and put it on my dresser. I looked around for the photo of my parents and I. But it was nowhere. Maybe the maids took it. I walked downstairs to the headquarters. “Did anyone take a photo from my bedroom?” I asked. All of the maids shook their heads. I walked into the library where my uncle was. “Uncle, do you know where my photo is?” I asked. “Ask your Aunt.” Said my uncle. I walked to my aunt’s room. “Aunt Linda, did you take my photo?” I asked. “No dear.” Said my aunt. I looked around her room. And in the corner I saw my aunt Linda and my Uncle Bob at their wedding. Both smiling, grinning and in the background my parents. They were smiling too. I smiled at the picture and suddenly I heard something upstairs. I ran into my room and took my oil lamp and went to the attic. Of course I was scared! I looked around my arm trembling. A mouse ran by foot. I jumped and screamed. Bats flew out. I turned around and around and heard moving. “Hello?” I asked. I walked slowly towards the noise. I moved the boxes out of the way. “Leave me alone whoever you are.” I said. I looked around and there was the photo. I picked it up and my uncle ran in. “Dear lord girl! Come down this instant! You probably ruined the dress Mrs. Nimble made you.” Said my uncle. As I walked towards my uncle I was sure something else from behind was watching me. And the other thing I was wondering was how did my photo get into the attic?

Chapter Three: Tom

I was on my bed with Miley. My uncle and aunt had brought me a German Sheppard dog. She sat on my bed snoring. I was rubbing her back and reading a Nancy Drew Mystery when my door opened. I turned around. There was my uncle. “Hello Elizabeth dear.” He said. He looked under my bed. “What are you looking for Uncle Bob?” I asked. “My spectacles are missing.” Said my uncle. “Have you checked your office?” I asked. “Well I- no.” he said. He walked out my room and closed the door. Two years ago I had moved into this house. I returned my book. My dog, Emily raised her head and began barking. She ran to the door. I folded my page down and tossed Miley on my bed. I took Emily’s leash and hooked it onto her. “Ok Emily.” I said. I opened the door and we walked downstairs. Thomas, the door manager opened the door and Emily rushed out. She dragged me down the stairs into the mud. “Emily stop!” I shouted. But she did not. She raced next door, dragging me in the mud. I closed my mouth and eyes. This was it. I was going to hurl. Emily stopped in front of another dog. He was huge. A boy came out. “Hey leave me dog alone!” said the boy. He ran towards me. And stopped. “Oh sorry.” He said. He put a stick down. “Yes.” I said. I took my white hat and curled it where the water and mud washed out. “My clothes are wet and dirty and my aunt and uncle are going to freak.” I said. “My name’s Tom.” Said the boy. I could tell he was ignoring what I was saying. “Elizabeth.” I said. I shook his hand. “Sorry about the clothes.” He said. His mother ran out. “Oh you poor thing. Come in, I’ll wash your clothes and you can wear one of my t-shirts.” She said. She poured some hot water into a tub and pulled the curtains over it. I took off my clothes behind the curtain and handed them to her. She handed me the shirt which I placed on the floor and got into the tub. The water rushed into my skin. I rubbed water over me and washed my hair. I dried myself with a towel and put the shirt on. When I walked behind. Emily and Tom’s dog. Boston were sitting on the couch asleep. “Your dogs fell in love fast.” Said Tom’s brother, Zack. “Yeah maybe you two are the next ones.” Said Tom’s other brother, Kyle. “Where’s this girl anyways?” asked Zack. “Right here.” I said. The boys gasped. “The mayor’s niece?” they asked. “Yes.” I said. Tom’s mother handed me the clothes in which I stepped behind the curtain and dressed again and took Emily. “I’ll see you later.” Said Tom. “Thanks but, I think I had enough for a day.” I said. “Ok bye.” Said Tom. He closed the door. Suddenly something grabbed my shoulders. The boy from two years ago that tried to kill me stared in my eyes. “Hello.” He said. I slapped him but my hand went through. I screamed and ran. I ran into the house to my aunt and uncle’s room. Pete floated above me. “Boo.” He said. “Ahh!” I screamed. My aunt and uncle looked around. “Elizabeth there is nothing in here.” Said my aunt. “Yes there is!” I screamed. How did they not see it? Suddenly he dissapered and I stopped screaming. “Out!” shouted my uncle. I walked outside the room and he slammed the door. Emily sat at the door. I rubbed her ears. “Don’t worry.” I said. I looked up. “I know there’s something up.”

Chapter Four: Millie

At age ten I had learned many things, reading, photo taking, sewing, making my bed, planting flowers, science, and geography. But the thing I never forgot was Pete. The way he grinned at me. I knew something was up. I was sitting on my bed when Emily began pawing the door. I stood up latched the leash on her and opened the door. Slowly she walked down the stairs and outside. She ran towards the courtyard, dragging me after her. “Wait Emily!” I said. I let go and she ran into the woods. “Oh no!” I said. I ran to the barn and took out my white horse; Beauty and rode her into the forest. Emily was panting by a grave of an angel. Her leash hole was in the angel’s hand. I looked at the tombstone. Millie Fran 1561-1578 Beloved Mother and Daughter

I looked at the angel but instead of the angel was woman. She had black hair and a white dress. She had wings on and her hand was holding the leash. She handed it to me. “You have a very special power dear child.” She said. “Why?” I asked. “Because you can see ghosts, your father once could and whenever he married his mother and you were born his powers went to you and he could no longer see ghosts.” She said. “How do you know my father?” I asked. “Because I was his girlfriend before he married your mother.” She said. “This forest used to be a nice apple orchard, where we first met. We were on our fifteenth date when a man in the woods stepped out and grabbed my neck and killed me.” She said. I gulped. “That doesn’t sound pretty.” I said. Chills ran up and down my spine. I turned around, there was Pete. “About time you emerge Millie.” He said. “Go away Pete.” Said Millie. “What’s wrong, scared of your own shadow?” he asked. I ran up to him. “Hey stop! She doesn’t have a shadow and nor do you! And I suggest you stop teasing her before I make you.” I said. “Oh, I shall tell your uncle and aunt. They shall be very disappointed.” Said Pete. “Don’t you dare.” I said. But he left, leaving me and Millie. “PETE!” I shouted. But he was nowhere. “Thank you for standing up to me Elizabeth.” She said. “How do you know my name?” I asked. “Because I know. I’m a ghost, aren’t I?” she asked. I nodded. “Yes, but you are so beautiful you don’t look like one.” I said. “Yes because I went to heaven, Pete didn’t.” he said. I gulped. “I can tell the difference.” I said. “Dear child, do not be scared of me. I’m nothing more than a speck of dust.” She said. I giggled. “Not really.” I said. “Now you need to stop Pete.” She said. “How?” I asked. “Take the picture of your mother from the locket and show it to him.” Said Millie. “Why?” I asked. “He was in love with your mother.” Said Millie. “But she is his aunt.” I said. “Go hurry!” she said. I ran towards Beauty when I came to an tombstone. I read it; Ella Anderson 1860-1861 Beloved Daughter. I ran towards the house on my horse. Emily followed. My red cloak ran out behind me. “Pete, I have something for you.” I said. Pete stopped. I slid off the horse. I handed him the picture. “My aunt.” Said Pete. He looked at the picture and then at me. “You look so much like her.” He said. “I liked her you know.” He said. “Yes I do know.” I said. “I like you too.” He said. I couldn’t breathe. A evil ghost that was sent downwards liked me? How could this be possible? I stepped backward. “Please, I won’t hurt you.” He said. “Then what happened to your sister?” I asked. He stopped. “How do you know about her?” he asked. “I saw her grave.” I said. “Nothing.” He said. He looked around. “You killed her.” I said. “No.” He said. “Yes.” I said. I stepped towards him. “You killed her Pete.” I said. “I didn’t mean too.” He said. “Yes you did.” I said. I stepped towards him. “You faked hit her with a knife on the dock Pete. She fell in and drowned and you just watched and laughed.” I said. “No I didn’t.” He said. I could see he was worried. “Yes you did Pete.” I said. “NO! I DID NOT!” He said. Suddenly his arms started disappearing. “Now look at what you did!” he said. His legs disappeared. “STOP MAKING ME YELL!” He shouted. “I’m not making you Pete.” I said. “YES YOU ARE!” He shouted. His stomach disappeared. “STOP MAKING ME MAD! I WILL-“ he said. But his head disappeared and instead of Pete stood sand. “You kill everybody you knew Pete. But you never killed your family.” I said. I swept the sand into the bayou and felt the April air. I would never see Pete again. But what I didn’t know was that my parents were right beside me, hugging me. The air blew my hair back out of my face and I looked around at the house. It was beautiful, just as always. I remembered when I first entered, when I first saw Pete, when I first saw Tom and how I treated him before he died, what Emily did with one of her pups [ate it because it was a runt], and how my parent’s photo disappeared. My parents were there now. And I knew it. I hugged both sides. And when I hugged them I felt breathing and a soft kiss on my head. I looked up at the sun and breathed in. “Elizabeth! Emily is having puppies!” shouted my aunt. I looked around and ran inside. I had a family, I had a home and even better… I had a gift. The End

   About the story

The story Emma Ladner was made to let everybody know who they were. And that everybody had a gift. You could run fast, type fast, read fast, draw fast anything possible. But the thing most important in this story is letting you know you always have somebody there for you. If you are an orphan and live in an orphanage you still have family. You have the kids that live there with you. You have the people who care for you but no matter how far away you are from home or how long it will be until you see your family again you always have them with you.