Murders+at+the+Mansion

"Murders at the Mansion" by Laura, Morgan, and Mad

When Augusta Smith invites over her 5 best friends for a party, nothing seems to go right after someone steals a knife. 1 of the guests gets stabbed, another drowns, and another gets poisoned. What is so important about the knife that was stolen, and why where these people murdered at the Smith Mansion? Find out in "Murders at the Mansion."

 __**M**__ __**URDERS**__ __**A**__ __**T**__ __**T**__ __**HE**__ __**M**__ __**ANSION**__

“Welcome to the Smith Mansion,” says an odd man with a smirk on his face, as he opened the creaky door. The odor from the mansion that a group of teens were staying in overnight smelled gross and rotten, like Mexican food. Ringo, Susie, Hannah, Anna, and Philip, five of the most curious people in the United States. They walked in, and it was like a museum full of riches and artifacts. They wandered through the mansion looking for things that the mother that had died recently could have been murdered with. As they went through the kitchen, Hannah had spotted out a vase signed by the mansion owner’s wife. The vase had intricate designs that could only be found or made by a professional collector or crafts man/woman She puts out a hand and tried to grab it, but when she does a mysterious hand grabbed her from the behind. “Excuse me, Miss, may I ask who you are and what you are doing touching my things?” said a strange man, who Hannah presumed the was John Smith. “My friends and I were invited to come to the mansion to stay by your daughter, Augusta Smith. I was just amazed by the detail on the vase that was sitting there. I didn’t know that it was so important.” “That was given to me by my wife who had passed away.” “I am very sorry to hear that, sir.” “Jorge, come here, I would like you to tell our little visitor a message.” Darkness. People became frightened by the sudden change of light. Everyone turned around, searching for one another in panic. The lights turned back on. Augusta Smith appeared out of nowhere. “Welcome,” she greeted the group with a warm and friendly smile, “hello, and thank you for coming. I have a feeling this will be a great night!”

“Where are you going, Ringo?” asked Ringo’s friend, Augusta Smith. “Uh…bathroom,” RIngo responded. “Okay. Make sure you try a taco on the way. They’re really good!” “<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Okay, Augusta, I will.” He had no idea that would be the last word he would say to her. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Ringo grabbed a taco shell and added meat, cheese, lettuce, and some other toppings to it. He took a bite. Delicious! <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">//Hmm…wow,// Ringo thought, //This mansion was incredible//! He saw something shiny catch his eye. A small, sharp, with hand painted roses all over the handle. The spoon was gold, and it had a picture of some woman. Ringo assumed it was John Smith’s, Augusta’s father and owner of the mansion. It was probably his grandmother, and Ringo thought that because the picture was a black and white. Ringo pocketed it for his mother and walked on. //No one would ever notice,// Ringo thought, //telling from the size of this house and all the other luxurious silverware.// <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Ringo wandered around the mansion trying to find the bathroom. The house was like a labyrinth, every hall looked the same, with red velvet curtains and silk rugs. Eventually, he found a hall with a large bathroom. He set the knife down on the counter as he admired the details of the bathroom. The mirror was huge and had even more roses. Ringo walked around, studying every minute detail. He turned, and then there was his stolen knife at his throat. “<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">NO! You can’t do this! You //wouldn’t// do this! Why are you doing this—” Ringo was cut off. Nothing was left of him.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “Ringo? Ringo, where are you?” Augusta called all through the mansion. There was no reply. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">//Where did Ringo say he was going? To the bathroom?// Augusta turned around and headed towards the bathroom. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “Ringo? Are you here? Rin—AHHHHH! Help! A body! NO!” <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Footsteps pounded on the steps to the bathroom. In seconds, a group of people had huddled in the doorway to the bathroom. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Susie was very startled. “No…Not…” <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Ringo had been stabbed.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">//Go to sleep, go to sleep. Maybe if I go to the restroom I can sleep,// Susie thought to herself. She walked up, and slowly tried to find the rest room. Susie opened a door, and found Jorge sharpening his knife collection. Susie got a little frightened, and silently closed the door to face a beautiful mirror that she grabbed. After a few more tries opening doors, she finally found the bathroom and set down the mirror. While she was washing her hands, she saw the bathtub was filled with water, so Susie bent over to feel the water, to see if it was not just her imagination. Susie felt it, and it was for sure water, so she splashed her hands around in the warm water, smelling the relaxing fragrance of the soaps and perfumes. Before Susie knew it, her head was forced into the tub. Susie tried to turn and look at whoever was trying to kill her, maybe as a joke, but she was unable. The person was pushing her down hard now. Then, Susie could barely even keep her eyes open. She was struggling with all her might to get out and away. Susie finally saw who it was and couldn’t believe it. But, in a blink of an eye, Susie just saw white, and knew it was over.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Hannah was walking around, admiring the beautiful paintings. She was shocked after Ringo’s death, and knew she probably shouldn’t be walking alone. She turned the corner into the hall of the horrible, cursed bathroom. And screamed. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “NO! NO! SUSIE!” <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Susie was dead, drowned in a bathtub.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">//Try to be as quiet as possible.// Hannah heard her stomach growl like a wild pack of wolves. //Maybe I need to get some food//, she thought to herself. Quietly, she walked downstairs to the kitchen of the mansion. She smelled something delicious and warm, maybe cocoa or tea. Hannah walked toward the heavenly smell that would bring anybody towards it. It was a leering smell that brings you towards it, every inch, centimeter, millimeter, that you go closer. Hannah went to the kitchen and looked at her watch. It was 11:33 PM. She hadn't manged to wake anybody up yet. //Almost there to the kitchen,// she thought to herself. Normally, she would’ve be scared to death considering that there have been murders going around in the Smith’s Mansion. There have been nights where people wake up to hear screaming and then it is just…gone. Then nobody can hear it anymore. Hannah herself had woken up screaming in yelling because a murder had just happened. Right now, she hoped nothing would happen. Let’s //get the food without making any noise.// Her thoughts start to wander off in a distant land. She managed to open the fridge. When that happens, she looked around. One second, there is nothing there. Hannah looked around for somebody. Nobody, so she grabbed for the pot that is delicately made by the mansion keeper’s late wife. The next thing Hannah knew, she heard breathing. Not only hers, but somebody else. Standing there, not knowing what or who is there with Hannah said, “Anna?” Nothing answers her. She stopped. Something drops. Maybe it is just a leaky ceiling. Hannah can’t see anything; no lights are on. Peering around the room, a shadow appears. Out of nowhere, Hannah went with her instincts and decided to run for the door. Hannah sprinted as fast as she could, soon to find that the door is locked. Hannah searched for the lock, but it won’t open. In seconds, there is a hand around Hannah's neck with a tissue. The tissue is filled with the smell of cyanide, a poison that can knock you out in seconds and kill you. If you inhale it you can die. Hannah saw a hand with gloves and a tissue went up to her nose. What is happening?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Anna was very frightened, but she was also very hungry. She was walking around to the kitchen, which wasn’t far from where they were sleeping, for they were sleeping in the living room. She wished she could leave, but she couldn’t, because a huge thunderstorm was coming. She looked up through a window, to look at the gibbous moon. She kept her eyes on the beautiful moon, and tripped over something. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “Ahhh! What was that?” Anna wondered aloud. Anna reached in her pocket for her flashlight. She also grabbed a pocket knife, which Mr. Smith had given to them. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> She had stepped on a body. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Hannah's. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">She had been poisoned.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The guests of the mansion waited around apprehensively. They sat in silence, waiting. No one talked, no one ate, everyone just sat, waiting. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Waiting for the detective, George Looney.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">“How did…” George Looney looked at his paper. “How did any of them die? Do you have any ideas? <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">“Detective, sir, I do not know. All that I know is I came downstairs for a midnight snack and then I saw her. I saw Ringo dead after Augusta screamed. Susie had been drowned in the bathtub. I saw Hannah dead and gone.” <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Anna took a deep breath as she continued to tell what happened. “I came downstairs from my room to get tacos from last night--” Anna was cut off by the detective. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">“Okay. I have where they all died. Any other details?” <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Augusta stepped forward. She had shadows under her eyes. She had lost 3 of her friends that night, and told everyone that she would not rest until she had found the murderer. “I found Ringo’s body in the bathroom. It Iooked like he’d been stabbed. Susie’s head was wet, so it was obvious she had been drowned in the bathtub. Hannah didn’t look different, but he wasn’t breathing.” <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">“Your information has been helpful. After I talk to the other suspects I will go upstairs and investigate.” <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">With that, George Looney gathered his things and went to the other room.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">George Looney walked back into the room with Anna and Phillip to interview them. Phillip and Anna sat on the couch, facing George on the chair. He asked, “do you have any motive to kill your three friends?” <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Anna replied, “No I would never kill anyone, especially my friends.” <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Philip said, “Ya, we have been in a group together for forever, and would never kill any of them.” <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">“Yes, but isn’t it true that you two are going out?” said George Looney. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">“Ya, but what does that have to do with anything?” said Anna. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">“Well, weren’t you trying to get a job at Burger King, and that you were going to work together without your friends?” said George Looney. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Philip said, “Yes, but we—” <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">George Looney interrupted, “So you wanted to get rid of your friends, and killed them to get them out of the way.” <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">“No we would never -- we’ve known them them forever, and never would do anything to hurt them.” said Anna, sobbing. She was miserable without her friends. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">“You may leave now. Thank you for your time.” said George Looney. “I am going to solve this crime! Don’t worry, you two will be all right.”

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">They went through all of the rooms with the detective Mr. Looney. Nothing was there until they went to Augusta’s room. It was locked. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “Augusta, come here and open the door to you room, please,” Mr. Looney said with a serious voice. “Augusta Smith open the door now!” <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “I don’t think you want to go in there. It is //very// dirty!” Augusta exclaimed. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “Open the door right now, or I will open it myself!” <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “Fine, calm down, keep your pants on. I’m opening the door.” <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> They walked in. He realizes that there are long strands of hair. She quickly runs and grabs the hairs. She runs to the trash can to quickly throw them away. There is a large wet patch on the floor where she had picked up a strand of hair. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> That is when he realizes a smashed picture of Augusta’s mother, Crystal. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “Augusta, what happened to the picture of your mother?” George asked. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “Oh—um—that was my cat. The hairs are from my cat, too. The cat is hiding in the bathroom. The picture is broken because…his name is Clumsy. He is //very// clumsy,” Augusta said quickly, not making eye contact. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “OK. we’re going now,” said George, looking utterly disgusted. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “See ya.”

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> George took Phillip and Anna downstairs into the massive living room. “Guys, I have solved this mystery,” George announced. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Phillip and Anna looked very fearful. “Go on,” said Phillip. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “Augusta does not own a cat, does she?” George asked. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “Nope.” <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “There was a wet patch on the ground. It was definitely water. Cats hate water.” <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “Yeah. So?” Phillip asked. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Anna, on the other hand, understood. The hairs were wet because…They were Susie’s! Anna’s face turned very pallid as she gasped, “Mr. Looney…You’re saying that the murderer was—” <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “That’s right. Me.” Out of the shadows, Augusta Smith laughed maliciously. She pointed a gun directly at Anna’s face. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “Bu-but, Augusta, why?” Anne stuttered. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “I invited you in the first place just so that I could kill you. I knew you guys were getting suspicious about what really happened to my mother, stuff that you should just leave alone, and let go. I killed her, I killed my mother. I invited you so I could kill you so you would never find out. I told you guys that if you needed to stay a night you could stay here while they renovate you apartments. Hannah, Ringo, and Susie were the closest to finding out. I placed my mother’s belongings in obvious spots because I knew you guys would steal them. I stabbed Ringo. I drowned Susie. I poisoned Hannah.” <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “Augusta, why? Why did you kill your mother?” Anna sobbed. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “I killed her because she wanted me to grow up just like her. She never took care of me. She abandoned me. I killed her 2 years ag--” Augusta was cut off as a huge force ran into her and knocked her into the ground. Jorge stood up and brushed off his suit. Augusta was on the floor, unconscious. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “I always knew she was a bad one,” said Jorge, rubbing his hands together.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: center;">EPILOUGE <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “It’s okay. I’ve called the police.” The police came in minutes after John Smith called the police <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> A court trial was scheduled in 120 days. Augusta was to remain in jail until then. John Smith was very sad and lonely without his wife and daughter. He couldn’t believe that his “perfect little angel” would do something like that, and so he took his own life.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “Well, that was definitely an interesting night,” said Phillip. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> “Yeah, I’m glad we will //never// have to come back,” replied Anna. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Phillip wasn’t sure about that. For in his pocket, he had a small knife, with hand-painted roses…