Anita Kovacs

The Panic Box Anita Kovacs

'Look, children!' Sam pointed towards a huge funfair in a field just visible from the motorway they were driving along. The children in the car groaned. 'We're not going to a funfair, are we?' Mario asked. 'Mum, are you serious?' When the children got out of the car, however, they heard the music and smelled the candy floss and were suddenly very excited and wanted go on the rides. 'Come on, guys, ' Sam replied, 'you can do that when we've finished. I've booked a game for you, and we have to arrive on time.' 'You booked what? What game?' Mario asked. 'Oh, didn't I tell you? This isn't your birthday treat, ' she said, indicating the funfair, 'this is your birthday treat.' Sam pointed towards a huge building that stood behind the funfair. The children stared at the building with huge eyes and open mouths. They forgot the attractions of the funfair as they read the writing above the main entrance to the building. It read 'The Panic Box'. 'Oh, my God, it's wicked!' Mario exclaimed. 'But what is it?' No one answered the question because no one knew what it was, except Sam of course, but she didn't say anything. The children run towards the entrance and she started to follow them. 'Don't go in! An old Gypsy woman had suddenly appeared in front of her. Sam stopped abruptly, wondering where she had jumped out from. She looked very dirty and had a crystal ball in her hands. 'There is evil inside the box, ' the old woman rasped. 'I saw him again last night.' 'Come on, granny, let's go back to the caravan, ' said an equally dirty-looking girl following in the older woman's wake. As she took hold of the old woman's arm she glared at Sam. 'What are you looking at?' she yelled fiercely. The language the girl spoke was English, but her accent was so strong Sam struggled to understand her. Without warning the old woman rose up on her heels to whisper in Sam's ear. 'Do not let Mario and his friends go into the box!' she hissed before the girl could pull her a