Melanie closed the door as the postman, whistling loudly, walked back down the driveway. She put the heavy parcel on the kitchen counter. It was addressed to her, but he had not ordered anything, and she couldn’t think who would be sending her a gift.

Melanie grinned as she undid the outer wrapping, and slid the contents onto the table. However, as it emerged, she couldn’t hide a disappointed frown. Why would anyone send her such an ugly and impractical bag? It was large, like her netball holdall, but in a heavy dark material she had never seen before. It had many clips, straps and locks, but they were bulky and ugly, suited more to keeping in a prisoner than accessorising a handbag. The side had a pattern etched, or burned maybe (she couldn’t tell which) into it, and although it seemed random, she felt it resembled an angry and demonic face.

Melanie put down the ugly bag and went to the fridge for a coke. She sat down at the chair, and looked for a note or letter in the pile of wrappings, but gasped when she noticed that the bag was open. Had she undone it? She didn’t think so. Melanie peered inside.

It was dark. The room was brightly lit from overhead, yet the bag remained dark. How could that be? Melanie peered closer, stretching the handles wide to let in more light. It was at this point that Melanie let out a scream the likes of which she had only heard in her most terrifying horror films. Spiky,  clawed arms reached out from the bag and scooped her into it. Although she was nine years old, there was ample room inside, as she fell and fell downwards, towards menacing green eyes. She was sure she had seen them before. And then darkness. Melanie held her breath in the silence. Where had she ended up this time?

Making changes for your own students…

Children love scary stories as much as adults, but should you feel the ending is potentially too scary for your students, you can adjust the following final sentences:

Spiky,  clawed arms reached out from the bag and scooped her into it. Although she was nine years old, there was ample room inside, as she fell and fell downwards, towards menacing green eyes. She was sure she had seen them before.

The important part to set up the adventure is the final sentence:

And then darkness. Melanie held her breath in the silence. Where had she ended up this time?