Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Hypocrisy Within Religious Groups Religion - 1424 Words

Hypocrisy Within Religious Groups Did you know that since 2012 more than 7.5 million people are no longer active in any type of religion or religious group (Grant, 2013)? Looking back on the past as well as the rich history of faith in God that can be found throughout American History it is almost surprising the amount of people who no longer take a claim to religion. Over the course of the last 30 to 40 years religious communities have had cycles of high or low attendance. Now as times are changing religious centers have multiple empty seats and mainly elderly individuals that make up the roster. This is because many people are now seeing hypocrisy laced into the religious groups’ doctrine or actions of the people in the group. By viewing first the Mormons and their treatment of women and the actual value of marriage vows it can be seeing that no worth is held on either of these. Secondly by digging into Christianity one can clearly see that most followers of Christ do not ex hibit the attitude and beliefs Christ had. Finally by gazing into the teachings of Muslims it will be seen that though good deeds are the foundation needed to please the god Allah hardly anything good is being done. From these three groups it is clear that hypocrisy within religious groups is the leading cause of moral decay, especially in the United States. The Mormon Church is actually a nickname for The Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS). Over the course of 117 years this religious group reached theShow MoreRelatedSocial Psychologists And Its Effect On People s Self Esteem1518 Words   |  7 Pagesprotective against disease and unwanted pregnancies, but yet many people do not use condoms. One possible explanation for hypocrisy could be the common misconception that bad things happen to bad people, the belief in a just world. Social psychologists have studied ways to remove the hypocrisy effect while maintaining people’s self-esteem. The research design often used is a hypo crisy induction where researchers arouse dissonance in participants by having them make statements that are contrary to theirRead MoreThe Satanic Verses And Hey Nostradamus969 Words   |  4 Pagesbelief. By exposing hypocrisy and challenging what is deemed sacred, The Satanic Verses and Hey Nostradamus! uncover the darkness within religion, illustrating possible impurity in religious authority and legitimacy. Peter Mullen points out that religious texts have ‘a definitive authority for the communities which accept and uphold them’. Such authority is engaged with and questioned, allowing dissent from the imposed sacred. In The Satanic Verses, the sacred is made up, religion and the name of GodRead MoreVoltaires Candide and Mockery Essay1209 Words   |  5 Pages and every immoral act conceivable to man. It is a satirical and absurd look at life and religion. It makes a mockery of organized religious institutions and leaders. The hypocrisy of the actions of these lead ers makes the reader wonder if Voltaire is against every religious order and even God, or is it simply the hypocrisy he abhors. In examining this book, it is a satirical way of looking at the hypocrisy of actions while holding true that goodness outside of these institutions and inside the personRead MoreAmerican Atheism and Why it Exists Essay1060 Words   |  5 Pages American Atheism and Why it Exists Atheism is disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods, they reject religion as apart of not only a rejection of ignorance, but also a rejection of their religious family and association of religion itself, says Catherine L. and Caldwell-Harris who are published in the Department of Psychology for Boston University, Lesley College,University of Haifa, and Trinity College. This is a stark contrast to theism, which is the belief in god andRead MoreThe Crucible By Arthur Miller1191 Words   |  5 PagesThe Crucible Author s Purpose In the town of Salem in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, a mass of hysteria broke out. It all started in the spring of 1692, when a group of adolescent girls claimed the works of black magic within the village. This ultimately led to a â€Å"series of investigations and prosecutions that caused 19 convicted ‘witches’ to be hanged and many other suspects to be imprisoned† (Salem witch trials 1). Sparked by interest over such a series of tragic event, Arthur Miller produced anRead MoreThe Pardoner Of Chaucer s The Canterbury Tales1129 Words   |  5 PagesHypocrisy is a common attribute attributed to many of Chaucer’s religious characters in The Canterbury Tales. They are greedy, drunks, and people without a moral code. In The Pardoner’s Tale this theme is exemplified. The Pardoner is greedy and drunk. Matthew 19:24 (ESV) says, â€Å"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.† Despite this, the Pardoner’s only goal is to scam as many people as he can with his â€Å"pardoning†Read MoreAmerica Is A Birthing Ground For Religion1708 Words   |  7 Pagespersevered since the beginning of this great nation, and that is religion. America is a birthing ground for religion and has provided the safety needed to practice religion in such a way that is against the beliefs of most other countries. The birth of the nation offered religious tolerance, and colonies were created around their own idealistic religious beliefs. But with all good things comes a struggle to get there, and historically, religious persecution has been a reoccurring theme, with America beingRead MoreColonial New England Ideologies And Religious Beliefs1439 Words   |  6 Pageswere strictly religious in their puritan beliefs. Clergymen were highly educated and forced religious practices in the name of being righteous and holy. Conformity to religion was not consider ed a rational choice to those that were forced unto American soil and forced to live a way of life so different than their own. Enslaved Africans brought with them their own religious, marriage and funeral, and medicinal practices. These practices prompted radical puritans to fear these religious traditions thatRead MoreAn Analysis Of Frederick Douglass s The Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Essay1284 Words   |  6 Pagesbecomes even more of a contentious issue than it already is. In The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass presents the theme of perversion of Christianity by slaveholders as a way to bring out the contradiction that lie deep within slaveholders adulterated interpretation of the belief system. In this paper, I will highlight these perversions that Douglass discusses in his narrative and explore why slaveholders form of Christianity make strong impression in his writing. LastlyRead MoreAfrican Americans During The American Revolution1 686 Words   |  7 Pages That everyone is â€Å"equal† led to the belief that no one had a right to govern without the consent of those being governed, thus providing justification for the American Revolution (1765-1783). These arguments persisted, of course, even with the hypocrisy of the Founding Fathers who claimed â€Å"all men are created equal† even while providing justifications for racism and enslavement. For example, in Thomas Jefferson’s â€Å"Notes on the State of Virginia,† he writes, â€Å"the real distinctions which nature had

Monday, December 16, 2019

Annotated Bibliography Example Free Essays

Annotated Bibliography Reina Garza Diana Hollinger, Russ Sperling, JoAnn Ford (2009, november 5). the state of music education in schools. (M. We will write a custom essay sample on Annotated Bibliography Example or any similar topic only for you Order Now Cavanaugh, Interviewer) * When test scores go down in math and reading, the emphasis is put on those basic subjects to the detriment of other so-called elective courses. And now the combination of standardized testing and budget cuts have put art and music classes in the highest of high-risk categories,† (par 1) * â€Å"when you speak with great educators, and look behind the test scores, the lessons learned in studying music, learning to play an instrument, playing in a band, learning to read music, all provide a richness to a child’s education that will last a lifetime,† (par 1). * Because of the declining math and reading scores, it is causing the students to double up on classes. This then does not give them time to take any form of music education. par 12). * â€Å"You cannot cut something for one or two years and say, oh, we’ll bring it back next year because the cuts are long term,† (par 16). * We still have about half the number of music students in music education in K-through-12. And we’ve never fully recovered and partly that’s because we start cutting the things that are the least visible fi rst, which would be elementary music and then junior high music because the things that are most visible are the marching band at the football game†¦and the choir at, you know, at graduation and those sorts of things in high school. But it’s like cutting off the roots; the flower only lasts just so long,† (par 16 ;amp; 18). * Some schools outsource their music programs. This then makes the teacher work with the students after school. Diana says, â€Å"we can’t just do a little music. Let’s outsource this and sing some songs after school. That’s not how you teach. You don’t teach algebra that way, you don’t teach somebody to read that way, you don’t teach science that way. You cannot teach anything that way. So it’s very important that you have a structured, you know, step-by-step education so that students have access. Understanding how to read music and to sing music and to play music is access. It’s social justice,† (par 30). Harken, J. V. (2003, august 20). budgets cut student expeirence . Retrieved may 24, 2012, from CNN: http://articles. cnn. com/2003-08-13/politics/sprj. sch. cuts_1_budget-cuts-music-or-science-math? _s=PM:EDUCATION * â€Å"If a student’s talents lie in art, or music or science, they lose out,† (par 8). Schools believe that math and reading are the most important subjects, so if the students have declining test scores, then all the other programs are cut while math and reading/English are funded even more. (par 7 amp; 8) * â€Å"For many kids, that’s why they come to school, for the band or chorus or sports. † (par 18). * Students interested in developing business or music skills would have to look outside the school for programs or private tutors they go to on their own time, Johnson said. People have to compensate. If the student can’t afford it, well, that’s the downside to this situation. â€Å"† (par 25). Houck, Olivia. (2009). 2009-10: Against Cutting Art and Music Programs in Schools. Retrieved may 24, 2012, from morrison institute: http://morrisoninstitute. asu. edu/young-stewards-of-public-policy/essays/2009-10-the-voting-problem * â€Å"Overall, reports have shown that the percentage of kids with access to music has declined 50% in the past five years,† (par 1). â€Å"The study of music, theatre, and other forms of art have been shown to stimulate other parts of student’s minds and even keep them out of gangs and other harmful situations,† (par 1). * â€Å"â€Å"95% percent of Americans believe that music is a key-component in a child’s well-rounded education, 80% percent of respondents agreed that music makes the participants smarter; 78% believe that learning a musical instrument helps students perform better in other subject areas; and 88% believe participation in music helps teach children discipline† (Hurley 3),† (par 1). â€Å"â€Å"Within two to three years, every school that cuts arts showed a decrease in morale and attendance and an increase in vandalism and disruptions, and within three years most of them had to add extensive disciplinary staff to account for the problems that were created by not providing the full range of experiences that human beings need† (Hurley 2). † (par 3). Nelson, TJ. (2005, march 5). dumbing down, the dwindling funding of the arts. Retrieved may 24, 2012, from worldmusiccentral. org: http://worldmusiccentral. org/article. php/2005030922083613 â€Å"One Ipswich high school senior, Reeve Pierson, calculated the participation in his school and found that out of 629 students 445 participated in the music and art programs,† (par 6). * â€Å"†Students with coursework/experience in music performance and music appreciation scored higher on the SAT: students in music performance scored 57 points higher on the verbal and 41 points higher on the math, and students in music appreciation scored 63 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on the math, than did students with no arts participation†. — College-Bound Seniors National Report: Profile of SAT Program Test Takers. Princeton, NJ: The College Entrance Examination Board, 2001† (par 8). * â€Å"â€Å"Secondary students who participated in band or orchestra reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances (alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs). † — Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse Report. Reported in Houston Chronicle, January 1998† (par 9) * â€Å"*Thirty-six out of 57 states and territories in the US plan to slash funding for culture. Estimates suggest that funds will be reduced from $355 million to $274 million in the 2004 fiscal year according to Americans for the Arts. Florida governor, Jeb Bush, reduced his state’s arts funding from $28 million to $5. 9 million. Colorado’s arts budget shriveled to a mere $200,000. † (par 13). * â€Å"There’s something utterly captivating in listening to the musical rendition of â€Å"She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain† by a bunch of first-graders on kazoos and percussion instruments. What kind of society will we be without the squawky notes of â€Å"Greensleeves† emanating from an open window as a fourth-grader practices on a black, plastic recorder? What kind of cultural identity do we preserve and pass on without a music education? What happens to us if we become a country without a culture, without a voice, without a song? † (par 16). * â€Å"I guess Air Force One should invest in a good sound system and a CD of Sousa marches, because a future president might be stepping of the plane into the adulation of crowds, not to the strains of â€Å"Hail to the Chief† played by a school orchestra but to a bunch of kids holding up multiplication table flashcards,† (par 17). music Statistics/music advocacy quotations. n. d. ). Retrieved may 24, 2012, from heritageweb. org: http://www. heritageweb. org/~sanderson/MusicAdvocacyStatsandQuotes. pdf | | * Students with good rhythmic ability can more easily detect and differentiate between patterns in math, music, science, and the visual arts. -â€Å"Rhythm seen as key to man’s evolutionary development,† TCAMS Professional resource Center, 2000. * A 1997 study of elementary students in arts-based programs concluded that students’ math test scores rose as their time in arts education classes increased. â€Å"Arts Exposure and Class Performance,† Phi Delta Kappan, October, 1998. * The arts are recognized as a core subject in the Goals 2000: Educate America Act approved by both houses of Congress in 1994. -National Education Goals Panel * â€Å"In every successful business. there is one budget line that never gets cut. It’s called â€Å"Product Development† – and it’s the key to any company’s future growth. Music education is critical to the product development of this nation’s most important resource – our children. -John Sykes – President, VH1 * â€Å"Music is about communication, creativity, and cooperation, and by studying music in schoo l, students have the opportunity to build on these skills, enrich their lives, and experience the world from a new perspective. † -Bill Clinton, Former President of the United States of America * â€Å"The arts are an essential element of education, just like reading, writing, and arithmetic. music, dance, painting, and theater are all keys that unlock profound human understanding and accomplishment. † -William Bennett, Former US Secretary of Education | How to cite Annotated Bibliography Example, Papers

Sunday, December 8, 2019

The Story of the Haunted House free essay sample

Theres a house in the middle of town known for its eerie presence and dark past. They said that there was once a family who lived there. A small family of three, they were happy and contented with their simple wooden abode. But one fateful night, under the full moon, they became the fancy of a bunch of thieves and robbed their place apart. The family fought back to these thugs but they were gunned down and died on the spot. It was a bloody massacre for the husband and wife, yet their only daughters body was never found.Months have passed after the incident, and people darted speaking of audacious claims, saying that they see glimpses of the couples daughter peering out from the window attic. Her cold laminating eyes frighten anyone who dares gaze at her image from the attic. The housekeeper, Mr.. Ballerina said that there is no one else other than him living on that house anymore. After the incident of the family, the house was holly entrusted to him due to his personal kinship ties to them.Such mysterious occurrences and a taste of curiosity, three men, though boys rather than men, ventured inside the haunted house when the housekeeper went out of town for a week. Filled with excitement and youthfully vigor, they entered the residence In search for answers. Though they may have entered alive, the very next day their bodies was found lying on the floor, bloodied and terrified, their face had the horror etched on their faces when they met their end. The people started whispering of the young couples daughters spirit did this to them, her soul, still furious from the death of her parents, unleashed her wrath on to these poor boys. Terrified, no one else tried to enter the home again without Mr.. Ballerinas guidance and to assure it, every night at the peek of the midnight you loud see a faint silhouette of little girl staring out from the attic window, waiting, guarding for the next fool to enter her home. Stop scaring us In the middle of the day, Audrey! I shoved her off from her table, making her throw the eerie flashlight she was using Just awhile ago. Seriously Nathan, whats the matter with you? She dusted off her skirt and looked at me with a disappointed look, Could you at least try to act tough In front of the girls? She pointed at the group of girls with me, whispering about something indecent if I might suspect, Its bad enough that everyone knows youre a coward when it comes to host stories, but actually showing them that you are? No wonder you dont have any girlfriend. Hey what does that have to do with anything? I stood up and faced her off, l Just dont want to listen to you happening about some thing that doesnt exist. Doesnt exist? She ogled me with suspicion, Havent you heard of the news? She took a weird looking notebook from inside her bag and flipped the pages, it took awhile then suddenly she shoved a page right in my face. July 15, no more than two years from now, three boys was found dead Inside the old haunted house that we are so fortunate to be living In Its vicinity. Their bodies were found swamped In their own blood with terror In their eyes. She explained It to me while I grabbed It away from her. Everybody else seems to be leaving us while I and Audrey duke It out Into another conspiracy versus reality debates.Since it was lunch time, Audrey decided to closed the windows and covered it with the curtains and locked the door so that no one else would ruin the fun. I only stayed because I know how much of a liar Audrey is when she got things rolling on her side. There was never an account that their faces were covered in terror or anything close to it. You are only speculating through the rumors that spread out from the course of time the incident happened. I rebutted her claim with some hard on facts. But where do rumors come from ham? She started her defense, From snippets of the truth, if they did not have the same face exacted from what the rumors have given, then why such a claim started in the first place? Oh please it was out of terror, people tend to send off outrageous claims when they are frightened. They see and say things that are beyond the normal understanding to make it sound fantastic. I read down even more and saw she kissed some very vital parts of the whole case. Mimi didnt even include the cause of their death. Which one? She asked, The one the media was forced to write about?The one that involves them drinking some kind of poison? They were not made up; there were actual vials that match the toxicity in the bodies of the three men. And you know the history of those three men, they have been sent to Jail a couple of times already for harboring highly addictive forms of hallucinogens and other kinds of illegal drugs. They were pushers and its not highly unlikely that when they accidentally drank an overdose since theyre high. A stated what was missing in the paper that she gave me. I cant believe she would leave out something as important as that. IEEE that what the police wants you to believe, since those three are indeed highly offensive drug users- met them first hand, no a very good bunch of people if I might say so myself- the police could have easily used that alibi to contaminate their bodies with their own poison and drop the evidence in the scene. And why would it be bloodied on the floor if they simply drank poison ham? She attacks me with an obvious fact. But I know how to fight that one back, There were blood markings in their mouth, suggesting that they vomited them in the brink of their death.And besides there finger prints were all over the vials, care to explain that? I countered and hit back hard. Easy, the police made them-I Damn it! Mama, make them stop!!! Suddenly one of our classmates shouted from the top of his voice. We both stopped abruptly and saw our teacher standing by the door. Miss Gorged and Mister Italian, I suggest continuing your highly completed argument AFTER my class, is that alright? She glared at us with such a cold eyes. Miss mama, we returned to our sits in fear of what she might do to us if we disobeyed.The police made them touch the vials, With that final defending whisper, Audrey returned to her seat. Assuming victory is in her grasp. After the afternoon bell rang, I packed up my bag and went out of the room, it was a nice summer breeze that washed over my face. I could finally feel the summer break drawing close to me. The smell of the beach, the site of beauties in bikinis, and the sight of Audrey staring at me like a tiger . .. Wait what? Audrey! I shouted at her, Why the heck are you giving me that look? Because were not yet done, Nathan. She grabbed my arm and dragged me down to the lobby. Please dont tell me were still going to continue this? My mind so already weary youre admitting defeat? She grinned with her mischievous smile. l didnt say that. Damn, she really knows how to tick me off, huh? Will the two of you ever shut up? Someone shouted at us. Oh Cristal! Help me! Audrey started running straight to Cristal. Nathan has been bullying me again and he Just wont stop. Please do something mean to him. She pouted her lips and gave her the batting eye lashes maneuver. Please for the nth time, do put me in the middle of your nonsensical jabber. She gently pushed Audrey away from her. After what happened with the mysterious piano case, I sworn an outing ever to interfere with the two of you again. There was this piano that was mysteriously playing by itself before during a rainy evening. Audrey says its a ghost but I said it wasnt, and we argued it for a whole week without stopping, irritated by our fighting, Cristal volunteered to see what really happens and stayed inside the school until night time.The next day, she concluded that the sounds was coming from the raindrops coming from the leak on the roof, that she unfortunately felt first hand because of the roof finally giving up on that very evening, soaking her wet and getting her in trouble at the same time. Anemia sorry about that. Audrey patted her own head. Anemia you better be, A tall figure emerged from the scorching field; it was Dante, It was the first and probably the last time Cristal had a record in her life. We are saying sorry, right? Cristal isnt exactly youre typical girl; shes very reserved and down right conservative. Of all the girls in the whole school, shes the only one who wears such a long skirt in the middle of the summer season. Fine, fine. Dante shrugged and wiped the sweat off his face. My best friend and Critters boyfriend we eave been together ever since kindergarten we were so tight before that we actually knew what the other was going to say before he could say it. Yet lately, the two of us havent been hanging out together as much, the difference in our hobbies has already set us apart this few years. Its only thanks to Critters persuasion that we actually see each other lately. So where do you want to eat, darling? Anywhere would be fine, She suddenly pointed at us, But we better make sure that these could even get to their respective homes before the hurt each other to the death. Anemia I guess so. He scratches his head and went straight for me. He grabbed me by the shoulder and pinned me to where I stand. What the heck? I tried shrugging him off, but his heavy build makes it impossible. What the heck are you trying to do? Just making sure you dont beat Audrey to death. He laughed and then let go, I Just realized that Cristal was holding Audrey the same way and was moving us apart. Its not like I want to kill her, I paused, That badly, Anemia but it always starts with that, He sneered as we waited for the girls to return. Damn its so hot!! Audrey tried to fan herself with her hand. Hey, Crisis, could you spare some space under that umbrella of yours? Her eyes pleaded like an innocent puppy. l did tell you to bring your own umbrella, right? Cristal raised her umbrella a little to look at Audrey, But your hard headiness prevented you from discerning the importance of my warning. She shrugged, and continued walking. Gar I didnt know it was going to be this hot today. She growled and Just dragged herself through the heat. Though they only met after she persuaded Dante to start to hang ideologies. One is very open to a point to believe in weird conspiracies and stuff hill the other is too conservative to act outside her orderly and efficient traditions. Seriously dude, Dante walked near me, I guess he was looking for the umbrella he left inside my bag. Why do you keep hanging out with Audrey? He suddenly asked something off, l mean, you really hate her guts, right? l.. . Dont really know about that I confessed silently, l mean, yeah she makes me tick, but somehow Mimi like her? He grinned. Hell no! I accidentally shouted, and then I returned to my normal voice. Theres no way I would like her Then what? Dents face Just makes things a lot more implicated. You see, hes not someone who hides about his feelings, if he wants something, he asks for it; subtly was never his best friend. I guess that why Cristal like him so much: hes so honest, its scary. If you dont like her, then why do you keep hanging out with her? He finally found the umbrella and opened it, thankfully it was big enough for the two of us. Hey Audrey come here, we have enough space for you here. Hey, thanks, Dante! She immediately rushed towards us. When she finally reached us she fit perfectly on what little space is left between me and Dante. Mires spoiling her, darling. Cristal glared at her boyfriend as he covers for Audrey. The heat is killing us all; cant you give her a break? Dents calm voice has been proven effective against Critters cold shoulder at times. After a few moments of dredged waiting, Cristal finally gave up, she opened her bag and took out a spare umbrella. Here. She threw it at Audrey. Better give it back in one piece alright? At Critters house, we felt the sudden had urge to untie our shoes and go straight to her room the moment we entered it. Hey, watch where you walk on to, those are some new rugs we got from Middle East. Cristal barked at us like some stray dogs. Honestly, when shes with another peoples company shes so timid and reserved, but when shes with us, shes so cold and unforgiving. Now, now dear, dont be so callous to your friends. Her mother is watching her be a pitch towards us the whole time. Dont waste your pity on them mother, She glared at Dante first then to the two of us, then she gave us a wicked smile, These bunch off sad group of misfits will bite at you at the first sign of weakness. Mires evil. Audrey stares at Cristal like she wants her to suddenly light up from her large. Muff look like an angel in the outside but youre a rotting putrid piece of soul eating demon in the inside. The highly descriptive way of Audrey towards Cristal could have been the influence of her reading a little too much of those so called satanic books. L dont care what you say to me, you tin foiled hat wearing weirdo. She shrugs her off like an insignificant insect. Mires unbelievable claims can never be shined upon by the public due to their outrageous statements and retarded sense of logic. Shes attacks Audrey with her relentless barrage of venom coated ridicule. Thats my girl. Dante grinned and relax easily in the coach. Face of an angel, tongue of the devil. And you actually like this part of her? I had to ask since delusion and love arent always two different things. Sometimes, though I still like the demure, innocent-sis side of her. He watched again as the two of them bicker out. Oh yeah? statements, saved your preppy butt from those girls last year, am I wrong? There was a rumor about a group of girls who, knowing her relationship with Dante, wanted to humiliate her by doing some God-knows-what to her. Since Audrey was able to whiff UT that simple piece of rumor from her sources. She constantly warned Cristal about it. Though at first didnt believed a single word that she said, she finally followed her the exact moment the girls wanted to exact their plan.Since Cristal didnt went to the place she was to go to at that exact time, the girls were caught and were sent to probation due to illegal carriage of medical drugs. Though I was truly grateful to your intention to help me, I could only assume that teas was only a mere stroke of luck from your part. Though she tries her hardest not to feel emotional room such a personal attack, it doesnt escape the fact that she was truly grateful to Audrey at that time and was actually the start of their weird friendship. Oh now youre Just acting it up. She can see the faint weakness in Critters part now, she has to think of something fast before she Jumps in for the kill. Though I wish to continue or interesting discussion, but alas its time for me take my bath. She stood up and opened the door, Now if you would excuse me, I would like to take a shower. She went out and closed the door silently. Ha! She Just cant say she lost. With another ruminant smile she sits down to Critters bed and opens her bag and grabbed her conspiracy book. Do you really have to bring that out here? I asked her while she flips to some of the pages. Well no ones arguing that it shouldnt, right? Why does everything have to be a debate with her? Alright, Im leaving now, I still have to study for my big quiz tomorrow. Dante packed up and stood up. Say good bye to Cristal for me alright, I dont shes on the mood to talk to me today. I guess he did kind of pushed his luck with her overtime he sided with Audrey today. Anemia, I kind of see hat, I tapped his shoulder and he went out, I could hear him saying his good byes to Critters mother as well. So how long are we going to stay here? Audrey finally asked, it was starting to get dark and she doesnt want to walk around the town in the middle of the night. We Just have to wait for Cristal to come back then we could leave. I answered. After a couple of minutes, Cristal came back, drenched from her bath. Oh, wheres Dante? She looks around for her boyfriend. He left earlier, Audrey answered her, It looks like you gave him the cold shoulder again. Well, I wouldnt have done it werent for you She sneered at Audrey, But alas, it cant be helped; hes Dante after all. He Just couldnt help himself. She dried off her head and sat on the bed. Ill Just make up with him tomorrow. With that, I and Audrey stood up and gave our good byes, it was getting late and we still have to do something tomorrow. Farewell, you two. She waved at us, Hope to see you tomorrow in one piece. Outside, the moon is already lit up in the sky; the streets were laminated by the street lamps with a couple of brighten up windows coming from different houses. Hey dont move so fast. Audrey tugs me back to her. Honestly, why cant you Just admit that youre afraid of that Haunted house? Im not, I shrugged her grip, l Just want to get back home as quickly as possible, thats all. Coming from Critters home, I and Audrey have to go through the Haunted House if we want to get back to our which is no more than a couple of yards away. Alright, lets make a deal, if you could stand up in front of the Haunted House for even a minute, then well go back to our homes as quickly as possible, deal? Fine, If I even said no, she would use it against me until the ends of time. Lets hurry up and get this over with. I followed her until we reached the frontage of the Haunted House.Covered already with vines and overruled by weed, its really hard to believe that theres actually a housekeeper living here, even though he rarely reveals himself. If you look at it closely, it still has the fine linings of its once great architectural prominence, which is now washed away by time. Okay, Audrey took out her watch, The minute starts now! At first I was Just idly grazing through the whole place, then, by some reason, I cant help but stare up to the attic window. I guess its all the rumors about that spot has finally made me ant to look it up and see for myself once and for all.Though the rumors says that theres a girl like figure standing by the window, but the truth is, the said figure is actually a vague silhouette made out from dust and such. When I really look at it, the silhouette does look more like a girl that the sheer vagueness that I used to believe; the detail of the body is very accurate and the face has real features on it. I stared longer, trying to grasp what made this dust-made profile such a terrifying thing amongst the people. Then I saw its eyes from this reflection of the moonlight, one loud assume that girl had blue eyes, Just like the ones the couples daughter has. They are like two pairs of gems that fascinated me for a while. Then it blinked. What? I couldnt believe my eyes; surely it was Just a daze from me for staring too long. I tried to rub my eyes and looked at the figure again, and this time its supposed mouth was crooked downward, forming a smile. The girl is smiling at me. Are you alright? Audrey asked me while I was having a cold sweat, I cant believe she has seen what I Just saw right now? Look at the attic window, I fidgeted to say to her, The girl.. . T smiled at me. What are you talking about? She looked up and saw the silhouette of the girl; it was back on its original form. The girl hasnt been looking down at you Shes Just staring at the moonlight. But I Just-r Wow, so now you believe me that theres a ghost here? Damn it, how can I let myself be carried by my emotions, I completely forgot I am with Audrey this whole time. TTS. I tried to shrugged her off, Just a trick of the eyes, could be a result of my drowsiness. I lied. Im perfectly awake. Come on, the minute is over. Lets get back home. Fine, fine. She hides back her watch and we both started heading off home.Unfortunately, shes my next door neighbor so its inevitable that we wouldnt part until we reached it. See you tomorrow. She waved at me and went inside her house. I entered my room, still trembling from what I saw a couple of minutes ago. That child, ghost, thing, whatever. .. Did looked at me and even smiled. Theres no possible explanation for such a thing to even exist. Yet I saw it with my own eyes. The blue stare was not a reflection, it was actually there.. . Looking down, though the window prevented me from knowing what kind of emotion was behind those eyes.And then that smile, again due to the window I cant tell if its mischievous or an innocent one, but my head keeps on saying the former. Maybe because of rumors, regardless of its certainty, makes me think that the girl is a ruthless murderer and it scares the crap the quiz and we have a free tomorrow. But Im only kidding myself to think that I could sleep after what Just happened. Though I hate to admit it inferno of Audrey, Im actually quite anxious around dark places and ghost stories. And after a first hand experience, well lets Just pray that I could sleep tonight at all.