The Mansion

Prompt phrase in bold.
Words: 298.

Kyle tiptoed past closed bedroom doors, clutching a flashlight. The cat padded silently beside him, eyes round and inquiring.

"I'm gonna see what's up at the old house across the street, Tabby." Kyle's voice was a hushed whisper. "You wanna come?"

The clock read midnight as he and Tabby stepped out into the cool, foggy autumn air.

Kyle recalled all the peculiarities he'd observed about the dilapidated mansion over the past few weeks: men in suits and fancy cars pulling up to the driveway, strolling the grounds with notepads and cameras, guys running around with hard hats and strange equipment, and limousines with people he almost thought he recognized. Much happened at night after bedtime; he would stare out his window for hours, trying to decipher the activity.

"They're just remodeling the place to sell it," Kyle's dad said when he asked.

"But why would they do it at night?"

There was no answer to this question. Tonight, Kyle ventured across the street and slipped into the yard, marveling at the brilliant spotlights brighter than day. No one was there, but he heard voices from the backyard.

Peering around the corner, he immediately realized what was happening: the old house had become a movie set! Beautifully dressed men and women were enacting a haunting scene before his eyes. He stared, transfixed.

In a moment of silence, Tabby sneezed.

"What was that noise?!" Someone shouted.

"Cut!" The director hollered, snapping the clapperboard.

An abashed Kyle and skittish Tabby appeared from the shadows beyond the scene.

"Well, well!" The director laughed, then frowned. "You skedaddle—pretend this never happened."

A few months later, a DVD appeared in Kyle's mailbox with a note:

"The stars enjoyed your visit. Hope you like what we've created!"

Kyle thought it was the best movie ever.