Short Stories in English for Beginners

Chapter 3 – The Surprise
Sylvia could not believe it. ‘There are lights on in the house!’ she cried. She
followed the path down to the lake. She went over to the house.
It was late afternoon, but she 
definitely
 saw orange lights inside. She
walked around the outside of the house. She wanted a view of who was
inside. It must be George!
‘Hello?’ she shouted. ‘It’s Sylvia!’ No one answered. Suddenly, a noise
came from within the house. OK, George, thought Sylvia. This isn’t funny
anymore! Sylvia went to the door and opened it. She was totally unprepared
for what she saw.
Everyone she knew was there! There were so many people inside the
house! Her mother was there, other family members, even her friends
Claudia and Veronica!
‘Sylvia!’ her mother shouted. ‘I’m so glad you’re here!’
‘Hello,’ Sylvia said 
cautiously
. ‘What’s going on?’
‘Well,’ said her mother. ‘Sit down. Let me explain.’
Sylvia sat down on the old bed. ‘What’s happening?’ she finally said.
Everyone around her looked worried. No one said anything. ‘Where’s
Dad?’ she asked her mother.
‘He’s at work. He’s coming soon,’ her mother answered.
Sylvia looked around the room. ‘Can someone please tell me what’s
going on?’ she asked.
Sylvia’s mother stood up and started to talk. ‘We think George is missing.
We believe a creature took him.’
‘What? How do you know that we saw a creature?’
‘George sent us a message. He said he needed help. Then, his mobile
went dead
. We’re here to look for George.’
‘Now?’ Sylvia asked with surprise.
‘Yes, now.’

---

Everyone picked up their backpacks. They turned on their 
torches
. They
were ready to go and look for George. They left the house and formed
groups.
Sylvia stopped for a moment at the door. She stood there for a while. I
just don’t understand, she thought. George wouldn’t go off alone. He
wouldn’t want to scare me. And why would he send a message to Mum?
Why not me? And why are all my friends here? Not his? She shook her
head.