08-CREEPELLA VON CACKLEFUR

CREEPELLA VON CACKLEFUR We followed Creepella into the tomb. I studied her as we walked. She had SHINY BLACK FUR and eyes as green as lima beans. Her long purple gown swirled around her as she moved. She wore matching purple pawnailk polish. A half-moon-shaped charm hung from a chain around her neck. It was a strange look. But I had to admit, there was something attractive about Creepella. Maybe it was the way she moved. She barely made a sound. Or maybe it was her fur. It looked as soft as my favorite cat-fur rug. When we reached Creepella's room, I

looked around. A marble coffin sat on the middle of the floor. It was made up with black satin sheets. I gulped. Creepella slept in a coffin? How very odd. Next to the coffin was a black night table. A silver urn sat on the table. It was filled with a bouquet of dead flowers. Cobwebs hung down from the ceiling. The room was lit by a dirty oil lamp in the shape of a skull. I wrinkled my nose. I hate dirt. Creepella really needed a good mousecleaner. Maybe I could give her the name and number of my mousecleaner. There was no one better than Samantha Squeaky Clean. When she cleaned my mouse hole, it gleamed. I could eat

a five-course cheese dinner off the floor! Now I stared at Creepella's dingy walls. Scary paintings were plastered all around. I saw a picture of a terrifying vampire. A snapshot of a GHOSTLY LOOKING CEMETERY hung below it. A mummy sculpture with red eyes glared down at me from a shelf. What a scary room! Then I spotted the bookcase. Well, at least Creepella liked to read. After all, what's a mouse house without books? Books can take you on the most amazing adventures. And sometimes they can make you laugh your tail off. I glanced at the titles on Creepella's shelf.

THE NEW AND IMPROVED COFFIN CATALOGUE FOR CRITTERS GRUESOME TALES TO MAKE YOU GROAN. Tour Guide of Transratanian Cemeteries. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEAD RODENTS. Revolting Rat Recipes to Die For. DIGGING UP THE DIRT: HOW TO BECOME A GRAVEDIGGER IN 365 EASY LESSONS. MAKE YOUR OWN TOMBSTONE or Your Money Back!

I CRINGED. Creepella sure seemed to like her daddy's business. I had never seen so many books about DEATH on one bookshelf. I turned around. Creepella was staring at us with a wicked smile. "So what can I do for you, cutie mice?" she asked in a soft voice. I cleared my throat. Then I introduced Benjamin and myself. I explained that I was Pinky Pick's boss. And I told her about the HALLOWEEN book I was writing. The whole time I was talking, Creepella stared at me. In fact, she never took her eyes off me. When I was done, she winked. THEN SHE MADE HER LIPS PUCKER UP IN THE SHAPE OF A HEART.

Benjamin grabbed my paw. "I think Creepella has a crush on you, Uncle," he whispered. I chewed my whiskers. Yes, Creepella was cute. And she seemed smart. But she was also CREEPY. And I mean creepy with a capital "C"!