Hello, R. L. Stein Story Club members, I'm Ivy, your host with the absolute most,

and keeper of those strange and spooky tales from the hidden vault of R.L. Stein.

Today is another chilling tale. This creepy tale story club members might have you making sure your bedroom closet door is shut tight at night.

It's one I call dollface.

Christina Webb didn't want to move into a new house.

What was wrong with her old one?

She had all of her friends, all of her familiar places she liked to go to, like the local

pool and the mall.

She did not want a new house or a new school.

But her mom had gotten a new job, which required them to relocate.

Her mom was paid far less for this job than her previous one, so it required a little

downsizing.

They used to have a nice, modern house with all of the furnishings.

But when she stepped through the door of this creaky old house, she was less than thrilled,

and she told her little brother, Stephen. This place should be condemned. It's not all that bad.

I called dibs on the upstairs bedroom with the big window. Um, no, that's mine.

I'm the older sister.

But I'm faster.

First one there, race you to it.

They dropped the bags they were carrying and sprinted up the stairs.

Their mom was unloading things from the car.

Christina had longer legs and was older, but her brother Stephen was faster.

...