In the previous chapter, John and Mel weren’t able to find the second tombstone. Even the days after, in spite of putting much effort into finding it, they didn’t succeed.

*****

Then they dedicated their time by reorganizing the garden. Mel wanted to tend to the plants that were growing next to the statue. The plants were beautiful, but too many together made it look like a jungle. So she spent a few hours chopping away some of them.

Then she saw something! – “John…, come here please…; look what I found!” She sounded very excited.
John came running to see what the excitement was all about and then he saw it too…: the second tombstone had been hidden there in between those plants. As a matter of fact it wasn’t very far away from the place where Doris’ tombstone had been, but his wasn’t in the water, it was on firm soil.

They embraced each other in joy. John said: – “I think we have to visit the cemetery…”, and smiling he added: “the four of us.”
Mel said “I agree…, the sooner we get this done, the better.”

John took both of the tombstones and they went running to the graveyard. Mel looked around to find a good spot to place the tombstones.

She found one in a corner, but there were bramble bushes. She had set her mind to giving the Tumbledors a clean resting place. She told John to have a look around, and she started to clean the place.

They placed the tombstones, and Mel put some flowers. She was very pleased with her work. They embraced each other again and went home

They felt much relieved, and knew they had something to celebrate right now.
– “John…, honey; how about going to the theater?”
– “Of course; I was thinking the same… and afterwards we could have dinner in that nice restaurant.”

Mel was overjoyed and wanted to dress up for the occasion.

They had a good time seeing the latest movie.

Afterwards they dined in the famous Bistro-restaurant chain. They felt so relieved and so happy that it seemed to them they had started a second honeymoon.

That night they slept well for the first time since they moved into the house.

Next day Mel dedicated all of her time planting new bushes and plants on the spots where they had been digging. She even went back to the cemetery to put some more flowers near the graves of the former owners of their house.

Finally John had restored the gazebo, and he asked her opinion if he had to do more but she said that she would put some roses in there and asked him to put one of the benches in the gazebo. Of course he did so right away and he felt lighthearted while listening how Mel was humming a tune with everything she did. After a very busy day they slept again very well.

A new day brought them more sunshine and they were seated on the bench in the gazebo. Mel couldn’t decide the color of roses she wanted to plant there.

After talking a while she went to the other side of the garden. – “What are you going to do now?” he asked her. She looked back to him over her shoulder and answered: – “Oh, nothing special…; I only want to do some more chopping away at this yellow flowered jungle here.”

She went behind the bench in the far side of the garden, and then… she felt that the earth beneath her feet had disappeared. She shouted “JOHN..!” and couldn’t help falling while John came running to her trying to save her, but… It was too late. They both disappeared underneath the yellow bushes.

*****

From a distance, Wolfspryte, who had been watching the scene in all its length, came closer and pointed her finger to the yellow bushes. Then she turned to the cat, and said: “It’s your turn now! You may enjoy yourself again, Tehther!”

The cat jumped up and in a blink of an eye, transformed into someone very much like Wolfspryte.

At the same time, Wolfspryte mumbled: “So sorry Melissa…, I told you about the danger behind that bench and about your love for nature. But Tehther is my brother and blood will always be thicker than water.”

John tried to rescue Mel who seemed to be hurt. In a glance he had seen them falling through a staircase opening, hidden underneath the bushes and there was a ladder, so they could get out! First of all he assured himself that she had no severe injuries, and then he helped her on her feet.

While doing so, they heard a noise…. John looked up and saw how someone took the ladder away! Someone who had the creepiest laugh he had ever heard…. It was laughter, so creepy that Mel fainted again and John fell on his knees beside her, praying that somebody would come to rescue them.

*****

*****

– “Honey, will you keep your hands off of me! Wait at least until we’re inside.”
– “Ah…, then I don’t have to wait that long. I can imagine you already without….” He looked at his wife with desire in his eyes. They were just married, and the house was as a wedding gift from her mother to them. She had purchased the house for a very special price.

The young woman smiled and turned around to see the house. Then she exclaimed: “Oh dear…, it seems that I need to practice my gardening skills! Look at those weeds and brambles!”

They didn’t notice that empty, lifeless eyes were observing them….

The End

Credits go to: Wolfspryte for her creation ‘The Tumbledowns House’ and her creepy information about the house that inspired my story;
Degera who drew my attention to that little house;
CycloneSue from ‘CS-Construction’ for the Cement/Construction Set and the Gypsy Wagons;
Spladoum for her poses.
Many other creators have their creations in The Tumbledowns House. If you see something you like, ask me who the creator is and I’ll answer you.
Last but not least I would like to credit Fredbrenny for helping me with the writing style throughout this whole series. I know she hardly has time to breathe so here goes my gratitude to her… Big hug for you Fred.

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