New House, Old Secrets

Amanda and her brother Josh move to a new house in Dark Falls, inherited from a great-uncle they never knew. The house is large and shadowy, surrounded by tall, old trees that cast an eerie darkness over it. Despite their parents' excitement, Amanda and Josh feel uneasy about the move. Their dog, Petey, also seems disturbed, barking at the friendly real estate agent, Mr. Dawes. As they explore the house, Amanda sees a mysterious boy in the window, but when she investigates, no one is there. The unsettling feeling grows as they settle into their new home.

Whispers in the Dark

Amanda experiences strange occurrences in the house, including whispers and shadows that seem to move on their own. She sees a girl on the stairs and hears giggling in her closet, but when she checks, no one is there. Josh, too, has unsettling dreams about boys in his room. Despite these eerie events, their parents dismiss their concerns, attributing them to nerves and imagination. Amanda and Josh try to adjust, but the house's dark atmosphere and the strange behavior of their dog, Petey, keep them on edge.

Petey's Mysterious Disappearance

One day, while playing at the local playground, Petey breaks free from his leash and disappears. Amanda and Josh search the neighborhood, calling for him, but he is nowhere to be found. Their parents are concerned but believe Petey will return on his own. That night, Amanda hears whispers and footsteps in her room again, but when she investigates, she finds only her clothes strewn about. The unsettling events continue to build, leaving Amanda and Josh feeling increasingly isolated and frightened.

Graveyard Revelations

Josh becomes convinced that Petey is in the cemetery, where he had run before. Despite Amanda's reluctance, they sneak out at night to search for him. In the cemetery, they find Petey, but he acts strangely and smells of decay. As they search for answers, Amanda discovers gravestones with the names of the children they've met in Dark Falls, including Ray, who had been following them. The gravestones reveal that these children died years ago, leaving Amanda and Josh horrified and confused.

The Living Dead

Ray confronts Amanda, admitting that he and the other children are the living dead, needing fresh blood to survive. He explains that the town was poisoned by a gas leak, turning its residents into the undead. Amanda and Josh realize they are in grave danger, as the town needs new residents to sustain itself. They flee from Ray, who is destroyed by the light of Josh's flashlight, and rush home to find their parents.

A Desperate Escape

Amanda and Josh return home to find their parents missing. Mr. Dawes arrives, claiming to have escaped with their parents from a town meeting where the undead were closing in. He offers to take them to their parents, but Amanda and Josh discover his gravestone, realizing he is also one of the undead. They manage to escape his grasp and head to the amphitheater where their parents are held captive.

Sunlight's Salvation

At the amphitheater, Amanda and Josh find their parents tied up, surrounded by the undead townspeople. In a desperate attempt to save them, they push over a large tree, allowing sunlight to flood the amphitheater. The sunlight destroys the undead, reducing them to dust. Amanda and Josh free their parents, and the family quickly packs up to leave Dark Falls. As they drive away, Amanda sees a new family moving into their old house, realizing the cycle may begin again.

Characters

Amanda Benson

Amanda is a twelve-year-old girl who is more patient and sensible than her younger brother, Josh. She is deeply unsettled by the move to Dark Falls and the strange occurrences in their new home. Her curiosity and bravery lead her to uncover the town's dark secret, and she plays a crucial role in saving her family from the undead.

Josh Benson

Josh is eleven years old and often acts on impulse, driven by his emotions. He is initially resistant to the move and frequently argues with his parents. Despite his stubbornness, he is determined to find their missing dog, Petey, and ultimately helps Amanda in their daring escape from the undead.

Petey

Petey is the Benson family's white terrier, who becomes increasingly agitated after the move to Dark Falls. His strange behavior and eventual disappearance are key to uncovering the town's secret. Petey's fate as one of the undead's first victims highlights the danger the family faces.

Mr. Dawes

Mr. Dawes is the friendly real estate agent who helps the Bensons move into their new home. Initially appearing helpful, he is later revealed to be one of the undead, tasked with luring new families to Dark Falls. His betrayal is a pivotal moment in the story, heightening the tension and danger for the Benson family.

Ray Thurston

Ray is a boy Amanda meets in Dark Falls, who initially seems friendly but is later revealed to be one of the undead. He struggles with his role as a "watcher," tasked with ensuring new residents remain unaware of the town's secret. His eventual destruction by sunlight underscores the tragic nature of the undead's existence.

Karen Somerset

Karen is one of the children Amanda befriends in Dark Falls. She is revealed to be one of the undead, having lived in the Benson's house before them. Her interactions with Amanda highlight the deceptive nature of the undead, who appear normal but harbor dark secrets.

George Carpenter

George is another child Amanda and Josh meet in Dark Falls. Like Karen, he is one of the undead, and his playful demeanor masks the sinister reality of the town's inhabitants. His presence adds to the growing sense of unease and danger.

Plot Devices

The Haunted House

The Benson's new house in Dark Falls serves as a central plot device, symbolizing the entrapment and danger the family faces. Its dark, shadowy presence and mysterious occurrences set the tone for the story, foreshadowing the town's dark secret and the family's struggle to escape.

The Cemetery

The cemetery is a crucial plot device, serving as the location where Amanda and Josh discover the truth about Dark Falls. The gravestones reveal the identities of the undead children, providing a chilling revelation that propels the story toward its climax. The cemetery's eerie atmosphere heightens the tension and fear.

Sunlight

Sunlight is a key plot device, representing both destruction and salvation. It is the only force capable of destroying the undead, and Amanda and Josh's plan to use sunlight to save their parents is a pivotal moment in the story. The sunlight's power underscores the theme of light versus darkness.

Analysis

"Welcome to Dead House" explores themes of fear, courage, and the unknown. The story delves into the fear of moving to a new place, the fear of the unknown, and the courage required to confront and overcome these fears. The Benson family's struggle against the undead highlights the importance of bravery and resilience in the face of danger. The book also examines the deceptive nature of appearances, as the seemingly normal town of Dark Falls harbors a dark secret. Through Amanda and Josh's journey, the story emphasizes the power of light and truth to overcome darkness and deception.

Last updated: February 18, 2025