The Black Heart Crypt

Halloween fell on a Monday, so at two-thirty in the afternoon, Zack was still at school.

“The same middle school where his father used to chat with the dead crossing guard,” said Ginny. “The same school where Zack recently ran into the ghost of Horace P. Pettimore.”

“We must put an end to all this,” said Hannah. “Immediately.”

“Oh, yes,” echoed Sophie. “We surely must. Right after supper.”

Zack’s three great-aunts stood huddled around the cold barbecue grill on the deck. Zack’s dad was working at his office in New York City. Judy had gone to the mall to pick up some last-minute costume accessories for Zack and his friends.

Only Zipper remained at home with the three sisters, and he was hunkered down inside his doghouse, keeping one eye on the three elderly women, the other on the three cats circling their ankles.