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a dour look. “I am going to open these doors, but you are not to step into the room. Nor are you to utter a single word. Do you understand?” She waited until they had all nodded their heads before she turned and opened the doors.
    The room behind the doors was the largest Scilla had ever seen outside of a movie. It was also brighter than the other rooms. That was because the curved wall on the far side of the room was lined with tall, arched windows. Once upon a time this might have been a beautiful ballroom, like in Beauty and the Beast . But that mood was ruined by the large ghostly objects which were spread about the room like mountainous islands in a sea of marble. You couldn’t tell what they were because they were covered with milky plastic sheets, which is why they all looked so ghostly.
    Scilla almost missed seeing the object next to the windows. At first it looked like a small square on wheels, but as Scilla’s eyes adjusted to the light, she could see that it was a white-haired man in a wheelchair.
    â€œThat is Mr. Parker,” the woman said. “He has spent his days in that same place, looking out those same windows, for nearly fifty years.” Mrs. Drummond took a deep breath. Now, if you will follow me quietly, I will introduce you to him. No running around, shouting, or screaming, or I will pull you out of here by your ears. Is that understood?” she added through clenched teeth and in a voice as harsh as gravel. She glared at them as if hoping they would give her an excuse to throw them out right then. The kids, however, nodded sheepishly, their lips tightly sealed.
    The covered objects loomed over them as she wove a path through the room. Making them look even more ominous was the network of cobwebs that connected them. Scilla could almost feel her skin crawl when she ducked beneath a web and stood back up to see a huge object with long arms (or claws or pinchers) that stretched over her head. She clamped her eyes closed, expecting to be snatched up and cut in two. That’s when she bumped into Ghoulie who yelped in fright. Mrs. Drummond wheeled around so quickly they felt a gust of wind. “What was that?” she asked, glaring at them so hard that Scilla thought her red eyes were going to pop out. Then she heard another voice.

11
    The Ghost of a Dream
    â€œMrs. Drummond,” the words sounded breathy and crackling. “Are those the children you have with you?”
    She held their gaze a moment longer before turning toward the old man. “Yes, Mr. Parker, I have them right here. I urge you to reconsider your decision. These children are particularly unruly and lacking in discipline. I am afraid their presence will only upset you — ”
    â€œThat is quite all right, Mrs. Drummond,” he said. “A little noise will probably be good for me after all these years.”
    â€œThat is total nonsense,” she responded with a temper. She quickly caught herself, though, and spoke more gently. “If you will permit me, I will be happy to stay here with you and make sure that they do not misbehave — ”
    â€œNo, no, I appreciate your concern, but I want to speak with them alone. I will call you when they are ready to leave. Thank you very kindly, Mrs. Drummond.”
    â€œYes sir,” she said, nodding her head. Then she turned and walked back across the room.
    â€œPlease close the door behind you, if you will, Mrs. Drummond,” the old man said as he turned his wheelchair around and faced her.
    â€œYes sir,” she responded again, holding them in a murderous stare until the door closed across her bloodshot eyes.
    Mr. Parker turned back to the kids. “So you are the children who are playing in the tree house these days?” The old man looked at all three of them in turn.
    â€œYes, sir, uh-huh,” Beamer and Ghoulie answered. Scilla just nodded her head.
    â€œI don’t entertain guests often. Actually,