24-A SCARLET SILK CAPE

A SCARLET SILK CAPE It was already morning. But it felt like midnight. Being haunted by ghosts was exhausting! I hadn't slept one wink. I decided to try to catch a quick mouse nap. I'd skip Curlypaw's room, though... brrrr! Instead, I climbed up the stairs leading to the highest tower. Soon I found myself in a red room. The walls were red. The floor was Red. Even the ceiling was red. I fell onto the bed. I was so tired. Before my fur even hit the red velvet pillow, I was fast asleep. A few minutes later, I woke up to a strange buzzing sound.

I opened my eyes. Shadows danced on the high ceiling. Cheese niblets! They were bat shadows! Oh, how I wished I was home! Suddenly, one of the shadows drifted over to the bed. It was much, much bigger than the others. The buzzing whirred in my ears. Just then, the shadow unfolded its wings. I saw a figure cloaked in a scarlet silk cape. It was a

vampire cat! It smiled at me. showing every one of its pointed teeth! "A VAMDIIIRE!" I shrieked, In a flash, it disappeared. The door flew open. It was Benjamin. "Uncle! Uncle! What's the matter?" he cried, racing 10 my side. "l heard a b-b-b-buzzing sound and I saw b-b-bat shadows on the ceiling," I stammered. "Then a vampire appeared at the foot or my bed!"

Benjamin twirled his whiskers. "Hmm. A buzzing sound? Shadows on the ceiling? A vampire?" he said, looking puzzled. Then he glanced out the window. "Look, Uncle, the sun is already up," he pointed out. "I thought vampires slept during the day and came out at night." I wasn't an expert on vampires. I tried not to read too many spooky books. They were just so scary. But I did know Benjamin was right. Nighttime was a vampire's party hour. Daytime was for sleeping. Benjamin discovered an extension cord lying on the floor. He held it up for me to see. Once again, we both agreed something very odd was going on. Benjamin scribbled away on is pad. fclnef. AN EXTENSION CORD.