Genre: YA contemporary suspense/thriller
"Terror has followed her to College"
The Sequel to House Trap is now available
Blurb of Fiery Trap
Rachel is now in college, she has found love and her life as a college student is typical till someone emerged to turn it upside down. Someone is leaving clues to her past or is she just imagining it? Rachel had gone through a roller coaster of terror in the Hausefalle's house, now the terror shadows her every step in the world.
House Trap by Mike Mauthor is at the top five realistic fiction ebook listed at Amazon in 2011.
In 2015, House Trap is at the top four 'cat and mouse chase' ebook listed at Amazon.
Spoiler Alert: If you don't want to know what occurred in House Trap(first story) then don't read this excerpt. Read book one first.
Excerpt of Fiery Trap by Mike Mauthor
Prologue
Jay’s Funeral
Is the rain a sign? Is it God crying about where Jay’s soul went? A thin-looking boy aged thirteen thought. His eyes gazed at the falling drops of water that puck, puck, pucked on his large, sable umbrella. Is my brother going to hell for what he did? He wondered somberly, this time looking away from the drizzling rain. His grey eyes were now on the pastor, reading his leather-bound Bible. He was the reason this thought just came to him. Each time he quoted scriptures, the rain became heavier, and the leaden clouds rumbled. He was positive this was God weeping for his brother’s soul.
His narrow eyes stared at the casket furiously, but his mother next to him didn’t notice. She cried just like the rain, as no one could comfort her. Her so-called good friends didn’t stay around when they saw all over the news that her son was the other person that murdered the Hausefalles’ oldest child. The Hausefalles were well known in town, and were very respected. The thought of going to the funeral of a murderer might as well mean you were an outcast in town. The funeral attendees consisted of out-of-towners, specifically folks who remembered the good side of Jay (the middle-school Jay that excelled in his classes, but got too caught up in the wrong group, and didn’t pay much attention to schoolwork, or his single mother’s nagging advice. Also, the boy that once loved to ride his bike around the neighborhood, waving his candy-sticky hand at his elderly neighbors every time he saw them on their front porch). These were the people that showed up for the funeral; they totaled only ten.
Everyone was shielded from the pouring rain with their black umbrellas except for a large, bald man at the very end of the row. This stranger clearly needed a larger umbrella than he currently had, but didn’t seem to mind the rain soaking through his expensive, dark suit. He appeared somewhat irritated by the event taking place. Kyle couldn’t blame him; he wished he and his brother weren’t here either.
“Kyle,” a voice hissed at him. His thoughts puffed away, as he focused on the person calling him. His friend, Caldwell, watched him with his sad eyes. Kyle smiled faintly to ease his pain. Caldwell was his best and only friend. He hung around with Kyle and Jay, as he didn’t have any siblings. In fact, Kyle considered Caldwell his brother. He was also as skinny and awkward as Kyle. Glancing at Caldwell, Kyle realized that Caldwell’s heartfelt mourning over Jay’s death truly made him a family member in his mind. Caldwell lightly patted Kyle’s back, and he replied with an assuring nod. He wanted him to know he felt all right. Kyle’s eyes now went to the water-splattered casket.
The rain still poured. Kyle’s mother still wept. The pastor still read the scripture. The only difference was the casket now descended to rest six feet under. It was torture for Kyle to watch. This is actually it. This is actually happening. My brother is in some big black box, and he’s never coming back. He will never ring the doorbell. He isn’t coming back home. This isn’t some type of prank that Jay is pulling on me and Mom. With that thought, his eyes streamed with silent tears. But another thought followed, the thought of who was responsible. The very thought of the person brought fury mixed with pain within him.
He hated those that were involved with his brother’s death. He thought it was unfair. Even though his brother wasn’t in the right frame of mind, it didn’t mean he deserved to die. Jail, yes, but not death. Kyle narrowed his eyes at the sky, and the image of a female with dark brown hair and thick-rimmed glasses appeared in his thoughts. He tightened his right fist in anger. He hated her for what she had done.
He now noticed workers shoveling muddy dirt onto the casket. Kyle couldn’t take this anymore as his eyes swelled up. His heart burst out of his chest in grief. He felt trapped, so he ran away, leaving the umbrella behind that shielded him from the rain. His mother, too consumed by her own grief, didn’t care to call out or follow him.
“Kyle! Kyle!” Caldwell shouted and raced after him. As for some of the attendees, they just watched them run away, not willing to get wet.
***
School hadn’t been easy for Kyle. He was constantly bullied when Jay was alive. Jay tried to make him defend himself, but ultimately it didn’t work. Now it was much worse. Now that his schoolmates knew about what Jay had done, it made him an outsider more so than ever. No one wanted to come near him. The following Monday, after the funeral, every single person glared their loathing eyes at him in the hallway.
Kyle’s stomach churned, almost to the point that he wanted to vomit. He couldn’t deal with this much animosity toward him. It wasn’t his fault his brother was involved with the attempted robbery of the Hausefalles. It wasn’t his fault his brother was involved with the murder of Alicia Hausefalle. It wasn’t his fault his brother was involved with the attempted murder of Nathan, Amy, and Rachel. Kyle knew it wasn’t fair, and he knew that there was nothing he could say or do to change their minds. He was headed toward his locker when someone joined him.
“Hey, Caldwell,” Kyle said.
“What’s up, man?” Caldwell replied. He held a big, black binder in his left hand.
“Nothing,” Kyle said with a trace of sadness.
“Look, Kyle,” Caldwell said. “Don’t let these people get to you. Regardless of what Jay did, he was the coolest person ever.”
“Thanks, man,” Kyle said with a weak smile.
“So what do you want to do this Satur—” Caldwell said, but stopped himself when something slipped out of his binder. Kyle grabbed the magazine that landed on the beige tile floor.
“Men’s Fitness magazine?” Kyle said, as he read the front cover. His eyes left the magazine, as he raised an eyebrow at Caldwell, wondering what his friend was doing with it.
“Ha, ha, ha, don’t even go there,” Caldwell responded, then snatched the magazine out of Kyle’s hand. “I’m just getting tips on how to bulk up. I don’t want to be skinny forever. I think you should read it too. Maybe if you gain a bit of muscle people wouldn’t mess around with you anymore.”
“Not interested,” Kyle said to him. However, the thought of bulking up wasn’t a bad idea. Caldwell might be right, Kyle thought. Maybe if I had some muscle, people might think twice before messing around with me.
“Okay, but it wouldn’t hurt trying.” Kyle shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe you’ll change your mind when you see me muscle up,” he said while flexing his bony, left arm.
Kyle had almost reached his locker area when he noticed a small crowd of his peers, pointing at something whilst whispering to each other. Kyle and Caldwell exchanged a look of bewilderment before Kyle continued to approach his locker, wondering what the attention was about. As he drew closer, he noticed a torn newspaper taped to the door. He froze, stunned by what he saw. The newspaper clipping displayed a picture of his brother. Beneath the picture, written with rough, large red letters was the word “Murderer.” Kyle couldn’t believe this was happening; it caught him off guard. He didn’t notice as Caldwell rushed past him and took the paper off the locker in anger.
“Who did this?” Caldwell shouted, his face raging mad, as he flashed the clipping at the onlookers, who were now slightly backing away in fear.
“Who did this?” It was only a second before the onlookers around Kyle and Caldwell parted, clearing the way for two individuals to advance toward Caldwell. The first person to arrive was Tyler, a lean student with a square chin and upturned nose. Kyle knew him to be the class clown and not very threatening. The guy that accompanied Tyler, however, was another story. Everyone feared Aiken. Despite the fact that Kyle, Caldwell, and Aiken were the same height, Aiken beat both of them in muscle size. His beady eyes gazed menacingly at them. Seeing Aiken, Caldwell’s rage gradually subsided. Nerves took over.
“I did. And what are you going to do about it?” Tyler said, staring him right in the eyes. Caldwell didn’t say anything. Without hesitation, Tyler punched him straight in his stomach. The newspaper flew out of his hand along with his binder. Luckily, his fitness magazine didn’t fall out also, or else Tyler would’ve come up with a thousand cruel jokes for him. Caldwell dropped to his knees, coughing roughly. Some of the students in the crowd gasped yet did nothing.
“Hey!” Kyle said, getting angry with Tyler. Kyle rushed in front of Caldwell’s crouched body, guarding him. He thought Tyler’s behavior was unnecessary. Tyler turned his focus on him, and reared his fisted right hand, ready to punch Kyle.
“No,” someone shouted, getting in between Tyler and Kyle in time. Her delicate, olive-skinned hand shoved Tyler’s fist away.
“What’re you doing here, Maria?” Tyler snarled.
“What do you think?” Maria scoffed at him. “You can’t just punch people.” Kyle formed a small smile, glancing at Maria from behind her long, black hair. He smelled her elegant, flowery fragrance.
“Why do you care? They’re nobody,” Tyler replied. “His brother murdered one of the Hausefalles. The Hausefalles, Maria!”
“I know that, Tyler,” Maria fired at him. “But Kyle didn’t do anything. Why are you punishing him for something he didn’t do? You need to go right now.”
“Or else what?” Tyler said, sneering at Kyle, itching to get him.
“Or else I’ll report this to my father,” Maria said, raising an eyebrow at him.
Tyler thought for a nanosecond before he backed away, staring at her, “Fine!”
Tyler then glanced at both Kyle and Caldwell, “You losers are lucky this time.” Tyler chuckled at the sight of Caldwell, before he and Aiken strolled away. The crowds followed suit, leaving Maria, Kyle, and Caldwell alone.
“Is he all right?” Maria asked, kneeling next to Caldwell, who remained on the ground, moaning. Kyle knelt on his other side, checking on his friend.
“Let’s get him up. He needs to see the nurse,” Maria said, and was about to lift Caldwell’s left arm when he pulled it away. He then glowered at her, “I don’t need your help.”
Maria recoiled in surprise. Standing up, she looked from Caldwell to Kyle.
“It’s okay. I’ll handle it,” Kyle said to her, flashing a timid smile.
“Okay,” Maria replied and cast a side smile at him before she sauntered away down the hallway. Kyle watched her for a while. It’s a good thing her dad is the principal of this stupid school, he thought. He turned his attention to Caldwell.
“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Caldwell groaned in pain, attempting to get up on his own. Eventually, he stood on both legs, still rubbing his navel area. Kyle stooped and picked up the newspaper piece and the binder.
“Here,” Kyle said, giving the binder back to him. In anger, Caldwell snatched it away. Kyle knew his anger wasn’t aimed toward him, but at the fact that Tyler hurt him, and got away with it.
“Come on. I’ll walk you to your locker,” Kyle said.
“This is why I’m going to gain some muscle,” Caldwell said, his eyebrows furrowed. “I’m not going to let that happen to me again.” Kyle didn’t say anything, but he agreed with him. He couldn’t rely on luck to protect him from Tyler or anyone else that might want to mess with him.
“Look, Kyle. I’m fine. You don’t have to follow me the rest of the way,” Caldwell said, then peered at Kyle’s left hand. Caldwell’s finger jabbed at the direction of what Kyle held. Kyle had forgotten about the newspaper clipping.
“You know it’s because of her that our lives are now worse than ever,” he announced with such hatred in his voice. “Her lies caused this. See you later.”
“Yeah, see you later,” Kyle replied, as he stopped walking. Caldwell went on.
Kyle looked down at the clipping: The medium-sized picture, on the other side of the newspaper clipping, revealed a sixteen-year-old girl with thick, black-rimmed glasses. This photo was obviously her high school picture. The little, printed words beneath the photo basically said Rachel Evans was a town hero, as she outsmarted two intruders, and rescued two of the Hausefalles’ children.
Kyle glared at the picture; Rachel’s brown eyes looked back, almost like she was mocking him. His eyebrows furrowed at her, as his forehead wrinkled. With all the energy he could muster, Kyle crumbled the newspaper into a ball. He then turned around and headed back to his locker, thrusting the crushed paper into the large trash bin.
Jay’s Funeral
Is the rain a sign? Is it God crying about where Jay’s soul went? A thin-looking boy aged thirteen thought. His eyes gazed at the falling drops of water that puck, puck, pucked on his large, sable umbrella. Is my brother going to hell for what he did? He wondered somberly, this time looking away from the drizzling rain. His grey eyes were now on the pastor, reading his leather-bound Bible. He was the reason this thought just came to him. Each time he quoted scriptures, the rain became heavier, and the leaden clouds rumbled. He was positive this was God weeping for his brother’s soul.
His narrow eyes stared at the casket furiously, but his mother next to him didn’t notice. She cried just like the rain, as no one could comfort her. Her so-called good friends didn’t stay around when they saw all over the news that her son was the other person that murdered the Hausefalles’ oldest child. The Hausefalles were well known in town, and were very respected. The thought of going to the funeral of a murderer might as well mean you were an outcast in town. The funeral attendees consisted of out-of-towners, specifically folks who remembered the good side of Jay (the middle-school Jay that excelled in his classes, but got too caught up in the wrong group, and didn’t pay much attention to schoolwork, or his single mother’s nagging advice. Also, the boy that once loved to ride his bike around the neighborhood, waving his candy-sticky hand at his elderly neighbors every time he saw them on their front porch). These were the people that showed up for the funeral; they totaled only ten.
Everyone was shielded from the pouring rain with their black umbrellas except for a large, bald man at the very end of the row. This stranger clearly needed a larger umbrella than he currently had, but didn’t seem to mind the rain soaking through his expensive, dark suit. He appeared somewhat irritated by the event taking place. Kyle couldn’t blame him; he wished he and his brother weren’t here either.
“Kyle,” a voice hissed at him. His thoughts puffed away, as he focused on the person calling him. His friend, Caldwell, watched him with his sad eyes. Kyle smiled faintly to ease his pain. Caldwell was his best and only friend. He hung around with Kyle and Jay, as he didn’t have any siblings. In fact, Kyle considered Caldwell his brother. He was also as skinny and awkward as Kyle. Glancing at Caldwell, Kyle realized that Caldwell’s heartfelt mourning over Jay’s death truly made him a family member in his mind. Caldwell lightly patted Kyle’s back, and he replied with an assuring nod. He wanted him to know he felt all right. Kyle’s eyes now went to the water-splattered casket.
The rain still poured. Kyle’s mother still wept. The pastor still read the scripture. The only difference was the casket now descended to rest six feet under. It was torture for Kyle to watch. This is actually it. This is actually happening. My brother is in some big black box, and he’s never coming back. He will never ring the doorbell. He isn’t coming back home. This isn’t some type of prank that Jay is pulling on me and Mom. With that thought, his eyes streamed with silent tears. But another thought followed, the thought of who was responsible. The very thought of the person brought fury mixed with pain within him.
He hated those that were involved with his brother’s death. He thought it was unfair. Even though his brother wasn’t in the right frame of mind, it didn’t mean he deserved to die. Jail, yes, but not death. Kyle narrowed his eyes at the sky, and the image of a female with dark brown hair and thick-rimmed glasses appeared in his thoughts. He tightened his right fist in anger. He hated her for what she had done.
He now noticed workers shoveling muddy dirt onto the casket. Kyle couldn’t take this anymore as his eyes swelled up. His heart burst out of his chest in grief. He felt trapped, so he ran away, leaving the umbrella behind that shielded him from the rain. His mother, too consumed by her own grief, didn’t care to call out or follow him.
“Kyle! Kyle!” Caldwell shouted and raced after him. As for some of the attendees, they just watched them run away, not willing to get wet.
***
School hadn’t been easy for Kyle. He was constantly bullied when Jay was alive. Jay tried to make him defend himself, but ultimately it didn’t work. Now it was much worse. Now that his schoolmates knew about what Jay had done, it made him an outsider more so than ever. No one wanted to come near him. The following Monday, after the funeral, every single person glared their loathing eyes at him in the hallway.
Kyle’s stomach churned, almost to the point that he wanted to vomit. He couldn’t deal with this much animosity toward him. It wasn’t his fault his brother was involved with the attempted robbery of the Hausefalles. It wasn’t his fault his brother was involved with the murder of Alicia Hausefalle. It wasn’t his fault his brother was involved with the attempted murder of Nathan, Amy, and Rachel. Kyle knew it wasn’t fair, and he knew that there was nothing he could say or do to change their minds. He was headed toward his locker when someone joined him.
“Hey, Caldwell,” Kyle said.
“What’s up, man?” Caldwell replied. He held a big, black binder in his left hand.
“Nothing,” Kyle said with a trace of sadness.
“Look, Kyle,” Caldwell said. “Don’t let these people get to you. Regardless of what Jay did, he was the coolest person ever.”
“Thanks, man,” Kyle said with a weak smile.
“So what do you want to do this Satur—” Caldwell said, but stopped himself when something slipped out of his binder. Kyle grabbed the magazine that landed on the beige tile floor.
“Men’s Fitness magazine?” Kyle said, as he read the front cover. His eyes left the magazine, as he raised an eyebrow at Caldwell, wondering what his friend was doing with it.
“Ha, ha, ha, don’t even go there,” Caldwell responded, then snatched the magazine out of Kyle’s hand. “I’m just getting tips on how to bulk up. I don’t want to be skinny forever. I think you should read it too. Maybe if you gain a bit of muscle people wouldn’t mess around with you anymore.”
“Not interested,” Kyle said to him. However, the thought of bulking up wasn’t a bad idea. Caldwell might be right, Kyle thought. Maybe if I had some muscle, people might think twice before messing around with me.
“Okay, but it wouldn’t hurt trying.” Kyle shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe you’ll change your mind when you see me muscle up,” he said while flexing his bony, left arm.
Kyle had almost reached his locker area when he noticed a small crowd of his peers, pointing at something whilst whispering to each other. Kyle and Caldwell exchanged a look of bewilderment before Kyle continued to approach his locker, wondering what the attention was about. As he drew closer, he noticed a torn newspaper taped to the door. He froze, stunned by what he saw. The newspaper clipping displayed a picture of his brother. Beneath the picture, written with rough, large red letters was the word “Murderer.” Kyle couldn’t believe this was happening; it caught him off guard. He didn’t notice as Caldwell rushed past him and took the paper off the locker in anger.
“Who did this?” Caldwell shouted, his face raging mad, as he flashed the clipping at the onlookers, who were now slightly backing away in fear.
“Who did this?” It was only a second before the onlookers around Kyle and Caldwell parted, clearing the way for two individuals to advance toward Caldwell. The first person to arrive was Tyler, a lean student with a square chin and upturned nose. Kyle knew him to be the class clown and not very threatening. The guy that accompanied Tyler, however, was another story. Everyone feared Aiken. Despite the fact that Kyle, Caldwell, and Aiken were the same height, Aiken beat both of them in muscle size. His beady eyes gazed menacingly at them. Seeing Aiken, Caldwell’s rage gradually subsided. Nerves took over.
“I did. And what are you going to do about it?” Tyler said, staring him right in the eyes. Caldwell didn’t say anything. Without hesitation, Tyler punched him straight in his stomach. The newspaper flew out of his hand along with his binder. Luckily, his fitness magazine didn’t fall out also, or else Tyler would’ve come up with a thousand cruel jokes for him. Caldwell dropped to his knees, coughing roughly. Some of the students in the crowd gasped yet did nothing.
“Hey!” Kyle said, getting angry with Tyler. Kyle rushed in front of Caldwell’s crouched body, guarding him. He thought Tyler’s behavior was unnecessary. Tyler turned his focus on him, and reared his fisted right hand, ready to punch Kyle.
“No,” someone shouted, getting in between Tyler and Kyle in time. Her delicate, olive-skinned hand shoved Tyler’s fist away.
“What’re you doing here, Maria?” Tyler snarled.
“What do you think?” Maria scoffed at him. “You can’t just punch people.” Kyle formed a small smile, glancing at Maria from behind her long, black hair. He smelled her elegant, flowery fragrance.
“Why do you care? They’re nobody,” Tyler replied. “His brother murdered one of the Hausefalles. The Hausefalles, Maria!”
“I know that, Tyler,” Maria fired at him. “But Kyle didn’t do anything. Why are you punishing him for something he didn’t do? You need to go right now.”
“Or else what?” Tyler said, sneering at Kyle, itching to get him.
“Or else I’ll report this to my father,” Maria said, raising an eyebrow at him.
Tyler thought for a nanosecond before he backed away, staring at her, “Fine!”
Tyler then glanced at both Kyle and Caldwell, “You losers are lucky this time.” Tyler chuckled at the sight of Caldwell, before he and Aiken strolled away. The crowds followed suit, leaving Maria, Kyle, and Caldwell alone.
“Is he all right?” Maria asked, kneeling next to Caldwell, who remained on the ground, moaning. Kyle knelt on his other side, checking on his friend.
“Let’s get him up. He needs to see the nurse,” Maria said, and was about to lift Caldwell’s left arm when he pulled it away. He then glowered at her, “I don’t need your help.”
Maria recoiled in surprise. Standing up, she looked from Caldwell to Kyle.
“It’s okay. I’ll handle it,” Kyle said to her, flashing a timid smile.
“Okay,” Maria replied and cast a side smile at him before she sauntered away down the hallway. Kyle watched her for a while. It’s a good thing her dad is the principal of this stupid school, he thought. He turned his attention to Caldwell.
“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Caldwell groaned in pain, attempting to get up on his own. Eventually, he stood on both legs, still rubbing his navel area. Kyle stooped and picked up the newspaper piece and the binder.
“Here,” Kyle said, giving the binder back to him. In anger, Caldwell snatched it away. Kyle knew his anger wasn’t aimed toward him, but at the fact that Tyler hurt him, and got away with it.
“Come on. I’ll walk you to your locker,” Kyle said.
“This is why I’m going to gain some muscle,” Caldwell said, his eyebrows furrowed. “I’m not going to let that happen to me again.” Kyle didn’t say anything, but he agreed with him. He couldn’t rely on luck to protect him from Tyler or anyone else that might want to mess with him.
“Look, Kyle. I’m fine. You don’t have to follow me the rest of the way,” Caldwell said, then peered at Kyle’s left hand. Caldwell’s finger jabbed at the direction of what Kyle held. Kyle had forgotten about the newspaper clipping.
“You know it’s because of her that our lives are now worse than ever,” he announced with such hatred in his voice. “Her lies caused this. See you later.”
“Yeah, see you later,” Kyle replied, as he stopped walking. Caldwell went on.
Kyle looked down at the clipping: The medium-sized picture, on the other side of the newspaper clipping, revealed a sixteen-year-old girl with thick, black-rimmed glasses. This photo was obviously her high school picture. The little, printed words beneath the photo basically said Rachel Evans was a town hero, as she outsmarted two intruders, and rescued two of the Hausefalles’ children.
Kyle glared at the picture; Rachel’s brown eyes looked back, almost like she was mocking him. His eyebrows furrowed at her, as his forehead wrinkled. With all the energy he could muster, Kyle crumbled the newspaper into a ball. He then turned around and headed back to his locker, thrusting the crushed paper into the large trash bin.