Rhea laughed when she heard the story. A ghost who trips on his own watch? That’s not scary at all, she said, walking into Room 3 with her torch
But as soon as she entered, the air turned cold. Her torch started blinking. Then, PING! something shiny flew past her and hit the floor.
It was a golden pocket watch.
Before she could pick it up, the air shimmered, and suddenly, poof!! a ghostly man appeared! He wore an old-fashioned suit, a hat, and had a big moustache.
Who dares disturb the great Reginald Percy? he shouted in a deep voice.
Rhea jumped. Wait! Are you the ghost who tripped on his watch?
Percy looked shocked. It was not a trip; it was a time-travel experiment gone wrong.
Rhea blinked. You mean, you’re a time traveller?
Percy nodded proudly. Indeed! I built this watch to travel through time. But one tiny mistake sent me here as a ghost for over a hundred years. Horrible luck!
Rhea giggled. So, you’re not a scary ghost, you’re a clumsy one!
Percy sighed. Yes, and I can’t even haunt people properly. Last year I tried to scare a couple, but I accidentally sent their sandwich to 1920.
Rhea burst out laughing. Maybe I can help you fix your watch.
They sat together on the dusty floor. Rhea used her phone light and a hairpin while Percy floated beside her, mumbling about time portals and pudding. When she pressed a button FLASH! everything spun around
Rhea suddenly found herself in a grand ballroom filled with music and people in fancy clothes. Percy was there too, but he was alive!
Oh, splendid! He cheered. We’re in 1899 again!
Cool! Said Rhea. But, how do we get back?
Percy froze. Back? Oh dear. I didn’t think of that part.
Just then, a waiter carrying a tray of pudding slipped on Percy’s watch. The pudding flew through the air and splashed all over Rhea’s head! The watch began to glow again and they were back in Room 3
Rhea wiped off the pudding. Percy floated awkwardly. Ah!! it seems my time travel is still pudding-powered, he said.
Rhea laughed so hard she could hardly breathe.
You’re a funny ghost , you know, said Rhea!
Percy smiled. I prefer the term temporally confused spirit, thank you very much.
Next time,Rhea said, “Maybe let’s avoid pudding?
Percy winked. Agreed! But next Halloween, shall we try the roaring twenties?
Before Rhea could answer, the watch glowed again.
Oh no,she said.
Hold on to your pudding!Percy shouted.
With one last Flash, they both vanished, leaving behind only a faint smell of custard and a sign on the door that read:
Room 3 Temporarily Unavailable (Due to Time Trouble).
By Christina K Sangma
